Media Release
January 19, 2022
First Gen-led renewable energy leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) continues to elevate its partners by providing assistance to expedite the restoration of power in areas severely battered by Typhoon Odette in Negros Oriental.
EDC’s Southern Negros Geothermal Project (SNGP) Leaders visited and conducted an actual inspection of its deployed linemen in the First District of Negros Oriental in collaboration with Negros Oriental Electric I Cooperative, Inc. (NORECO) in Bais City, Municipalities of Bindoy, and Ayungon.
“The moment we knew their situation, I instructed my team to coordinate with NORECO I and offered help immediately. We assigned six teams composed of linemen and ground men and deployed four boom trucks,” Engr. Noel R. Tan, EDC Negros Facility OIC Head narrated.
Engr. Tan added, “We extended help without hesitation because this is part of our company’s regenerative mission.”
EDC has been assisting NORECO I in its power restoration efforts since January 6. The geothermal leader sends six teams that serve all NORECO I areas from Canlaon City to Bais City and will continue its support until February 6, 2022, with seven groups.
NORECO I General Manager Dr. Juvileo Acabal expressed his utmost appreciation to EDC for its extraordinary assistance and support on NORECO I’s power restoration efforts.
He pointed out how EDC offered assistance in the cooperative’s efforts to bring back electricity to affected communities. “We are overwhelmed because EDC did not only send one team but six teams for this purpose. We appreciate EDC’s assistance and compassion. No words can describe it.”
Inspection for power restoration. EDC assists NORECO 1 in its efforts to bring back the power in typhoon-stricken areas in Negros Oriental. In photo are (left-right) Mr. Aldwin R. Gravador, NORECO-I Area Supervisor- Bais City, Engr Noel R. Tan, EDC Negros Facility Head OIC, Engr. Cromwell Ozoa, EDC Production Head, and Ms. Norreen G. Bautista, Head of EDC’s CSR Team in Negros.
Dr. Acabal added, “The NORECO I Board of Directors and Management did not expect that EDC, an energy supplier, would extend to us this much. We only expect our fellow electric cooperatives across the country to help us.”
According to Dr. Acabal, other electric cooperatives have joined the bandwagon that will fast-track the restoration of power in Negros Oriental with their respective teams. But for the record, EDC has assigned six teams initially and will further augment to seven teams by next week, making EDC with the most workforce.
NORECO I Board of Director Villiam Amaro also acknowledged EDC’s efforts to extend help to its customers. “Our gratitude is overflowing knowing that EDC is always with us 24/7, and we are not afraid,” Amaro said.
Currently, NORECO I has already restored and reenergized 79 Barangays of the 11 Cities and Municipalities of the First Congressional District of the Province.
Energy Development Corporation is First Gen’s 100% renewable energy (RE) arm, with over 1,480MW total installed capacity. It accounts for 20% of the country’s overall installed RE capacity. EDC’s almost 1,200MW geothermal portfolio comprises 62% of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity and has put the Philippines on the map as the 3rd largest geothermal producer in the world. ###