Hedcor Releases Over ₱21.5-M In Community Shares To Davao del Sur Province

Hedcor, the run-of-river hydropower subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), has released P21.5 million for local government units and host communities in Davao del Sur as part of its cooperative agreement relative to the operation of its power plants.

Photo Insert: Davao del Sur Governor Yvonne R. Cagas (center) receives the community shares check from Hedcor Inc. VP for Operations and Maintenance Leo Lungay (2nd from right). Present during the ceremony were (L-R) AboitizPower External Relations Theodore Bisnar, Vice Governor Ai-Ai Cagas-Fernandez, Special Asst. to the Governor Marc Douglas Cagas IV, Provincial Board Member Dr. Francisco Tongcos and Hedcor AVP for Operations and Maintenance Galen Alova.

The P21.5 million worth of community shares for the LGUs and host communities were generated from last year's energy sales of Sibulan A, Sibulan B, Tudaya 1, and Tudaya 2 hydropower plants.

The company which has been generating renewable energy from run-of-river hydropower systems for over 40 years and manages and operates 22 hydropower plants that generate 278-megawatts (MW) of clean and renewable energy in the region, stated that the community shares are part of a cooperative agreement between the company and the local government, aimed at driving local development.

"Aside from the community shares, Hedcor will be working with the [LGU] and community leaders in implementing [a] series of health, education, and livelihood projects this year, in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, to help spur grassroots development and invigorate partnership with the community," said Hedcor President and COO Rolando G. Pacquiao.

Pacquiao shared that Hedcor strongly supports inclusive growth in its host communities, generating employment opportunities for local workers, and hopes that these funds will continue to build on the progress of long-term projects that benefit the host communities.

LGU and tribal leaders have assured the company that the funds would be spent to further develop their respective communities.

Out of the total amount, P6.2 million each went to the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur and the Municipality of Santa Cruz, while Digos City received P260,000. Host barangays in Santa Cruz also received their shares: Barangay Darong received P2 million, Barangay Sibulan received P1.5 million, and Barangay Astorga received P260,000.

Santa Cruz Mayor Nelson “Tata” Sala, for instance, has lauded Hedcor’s advocacy of advancing business and communities. "We will use the [grant] to purchase patient transport vehicles to further improve our services to the community during emergency cases," he said.

Meanwhile, Davao del Sur Governor Yvonne R. Cagas stated that most of their shares would be prioritized for education. "The largest portion of the [grant] will be allocated to the province's education programs because the LGU and Hedcor believe that investing in children means we are investing in our future," she added.

In addition, community shares allocated for the development of indigenous peoples' (IP) programs were completed and turned over to the Barangay Tribal Council of Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Kapiid Ka Banua, Inc., and Tudaya Falls Tribal Association.

Since 2010, Hedcor has released a total of P156 million to contiguous LGUs and IP groups with programs promulgating access road openings, energization projects, tribal halls, and water systems.

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