Petron Corp., the country’s leading oil company, said it continues to uphold its commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the communities it serves as it celebrates its 85th anniversary.
Residents from Petron’s fenceline communities, local government representatives and local Department of Environment and Natural Resources offices joined Petron employees in nationwide reforestation efforts through the company’s “Puno ng Buhay” program, which aims to build Petron forests of mangroves, bamboos or endemic tree species.
The program came in full swing in 2018 as Petron adopted at least 85 hectares for reforestation in different areas around the country. The sites in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte were populated with mangrove propagules while the area in Tagbilaran, Bohol was planted with bamboo seedlings. Similar activities were also held in other areas including Tacloban, Roxas, and Limay.
This brings the total hectarage of reforested sites to over 100 and the total number of mangrove and tree seedlings planted to over one million since the program was formally launched in 2016.
Petron president and chief executive Ramon Ang said the company remained steadfast in its commitment to fuel the environment as it plans to adopt more areas for reforestation in Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao this year.
”As we mark our 85th year, we hope to leave a significant and lasting impact on the environment and in communities where we ae present. We see ourselves as an enabler of growth and progress, so ultimately we help shape the future where our country is stronger, more resilient, and able to meet the aspirations of our people,” said Ang.
In the next three years, the nationwide reforestation program is expected to see at least 200,000 new trees and mangrove planted. These areas are expected to capture at least 63,000 tons of carbon annually. With the continuing decline in forest cover, Petron said it hopes to further contribute to government efforts to protect the environment, especially through DENR’s expanded National Greening Program.
Fueled by volunteerism
Achieving this massive undertaking means tapping into the volunteerism spirit of Petron employees and the company’s stakeholders to take collective action.
Thousands of Petron employees contributed to the success of Petron’s environmental efforts. In addition to the Puno ng Buhay activities, they have helped clean up shorelines, rivers, and creeks, and distributed empty drums to serve as waste bins for fenceline communities. Many of these activities are timed to commemorate global events such as Earth Day, Environment Month, and International Coastal Cleanup Day.
85 years of changing lives
More than the figures, the success of these programs can be measured by how much they have changed or improved the lives of their beneficiaries.
As part of the Limay, Bataan community for nearly 60 years, Petron is more than just a business but more a reliable and helpful neighbor, especially in times of need.
“Whatever our problem is, we know we can always count on them,” said Rose Santos, president of the Kabaranggay Alangan Tungo sa Isang Gabay, a Limay-based people’s organization composed mostly of fisherfolk.
With Petron’s help, the group preserves the area by planting mangroves within its vicinity. Mangroves offer a host of benefits: serving as natural greenbelts to reduce disaster vulnerability, preserving critical watersheds and ecosystems, and providing a source of livelihood for the local community.
“We experienced the strength of typhoon Glenda. From here, we saw how the pier almost disappeared while we remained safe from the effects of the typhoon,” said Santos.
Petron is an integral part of the community, as with all other areas where it operates, enabling economic growth, generating employment, and making a difference in the lives of those who need help the most. The company said this a goal that it readily and fully embraces for the next 85 years and beyond.