STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Oct. 23 – Two hundred kilograms of wastes composed of plastics and biodegradable materials were collected in Sibulan River and Talomo River during a series of river clean-ups organized by Hedcor.
“Ang pakigtambayayong namo sa Hedcor sa pagpanguha og sagbot sa kasapaan kay tungod sa among maayong relasyon sa kompanya. Isa pod sa rason mao ang pagpangandam sa mga umaabotay nga kusog nga ulan arun walay baha nga mahitabo. (Our good relationship with Hedcor is the reason why we partnered with them in cleaning the river. One reason also is to prepare our riverbeds for the upcoming rainfalls to also avoid flash floods),” said Bagobo-Tagabawa tribal leader Datu Rudy Agtag of Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
About a hundred participants from Hedcor and the host communities were given the chance to help revitalize the rivers.
Armed with separate bags for waste segregation and proper disposal, volunteers clean the stretch of Sibulan River in Sta. Cruz town and Talomo River in Davao City.
Hedcor vice president for Mindanao operations Rolando Pacquiao said, “The River Clean-up drive is to educate our host communities of the importance of declogging the river from wastes. This would also benefit the operation of our power plants to avoid tripping due to waste clogging in the facilities or machine.”
Talomo River feeds Hedcor’s five run-of-river hydropower plants which supply clean and renewable energy to Davao City. Sibulan River, on the other hand, is harnessed by the 42.5 MW Sibulan and soon, the 13 MW Tudaya Hydropower Plants.
The clean-up drive has become a regular environmental initiative of the hydropower company that helps bring awareness to the community on the importance of maintaining a clean river system and protection of watershed.
Aside from river clean-up, Hedcor holds Eco-Market Program where they buy household wastes from the communities.
Wastes weighing over 2000 kilograms were collected and residents get corresponding amount of money from it.
The program encourages residents to properly segregate their waste and eventually benefit from it.
Hedcor’s environmental initiatives range from reforestation, watershed management, bird’s house rehabilitation, farmers training and educational campaign for students and parents.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower, Hedcor has 19 run-of-river hydropower plants in the country. The company is ISO certified for Environment Management Systems and a recipient of Department of Energy and Natural Resources’ Seal of Approval as direct result of the company’s green practices. (Hedcor)
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