GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) reiterated its commitment to enriching marine biodiversity as it hit two birds with one stone on its back-to-back launch of its projects on Dec. 1, 2023 at Sitio Fuerte, Poblacion, Morong, Bataan.
The event kicked off with the multi-party signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on GNPD’s latest environmental venture, Kulay Koral, which were signed by GNPD, Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR), provincial government of Bataan and their latest partner, Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU).
To give an overview on the Kulay Koral project, BPSU campus director Adrian Perdio enlightened the audience about the state of coral reefs in Mariveles, which will be the focal point of the program worth over P2 million.
“Ang amin pong gagawin ay magtatanim ng coral reefs sa Dinginin, sa mismong site po ng GNPD,” he said. “We’ve surveyed the area and found coral opportunities… and it will run for at least three years, which we are hoping to extend for more years to come.”
Expressing his gratitude for the partnership with GNPD, BPSU vice president for academic affairs Rev. Fr. Edgardo Sigua said: “We cannot have a healthy life without a healthy environment, sana ay sama-sama tayong pangalagaan ito, hindi lamang para sa atin kundi para sa susunod na salinlahi.”
They also held the ceremonial ribbon-cutting of GNPD’s adopted pawikan hatchery in Sitio Fuerte to mark the official launching of the site and the introduction of Sagip Pawikan Sitio Fuerte as GNPD’s official partner in the municipality of Morong in taking care of the sea turtle species found in the coasts of Bataan.
GNPD signed the SagiPaWeCan MOA in July, in partnership with the provincial government of Bataan, DENR, Sagip Pawikan Sitio Fuerte Association and local government of Morong.
Arnold Mendoza, president of the volunteer-led Sagip Pawikan Sitio Fuerte Association, welcome the contribution it made for the group. “Ngayon lang po namin naranasan ang ganitong okasyon sa tagal na po ng aming organisasyon na puro lamang mga volunteer, kaya nagpapasalamat po kami dahil naramdaman po naming na espesyal po kami at and mga pawikan na aming pinapangalagaan,” he said.
GNPD corporate social responsibility superintendent Joseph Paolo Mendoza said: “As the largest coal-fired power plant in the Philippines, we at GNPD understand the profound responsibility we bear beyond energizing the nation. Our involvement in environmental programs, such as the GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. adoption and management of this pawikan hatchery and the Kulay Koral project, underscores our commitment to preventing their extinction and educating the community about their crucial role in marine ecosystems.”
In a somewhat miraculous way to cap off the back-to-back event, four pawikan hatchlings surfaced to greet the participants, which was a delightful surprise to everyone.
The initiative helps realize the first letter P of GNPD’s CSR roadmap: Protect Marine Life. It embodies the company’s commitment to Protect Marine Life, one of the vital components of their comprehensive approach, and reflects their holistic dedication to fostering positive change and sustainable development in the community.
GNPD is a 2×725 MW (gross) coal-fired power plant in Mariveles, Bataan which is considered by far the biggest coal-fired power plant in the country, spanning 26 supplied power agreements.
GNPD operates under the private limited partnership of AboitizPower’s Therma Power Inc., Ayala Corp.’s AC Energy Holdings Inc. and Power Partners Ltd. Co.