Press Release
02 December 2022
From left to right: EDC Burgos Forester Rosalyne Casil, First Balfour Safety Officer Engr. Richard Gabuyo, EDC Burgos Site Head Andy Durog, First Balfour Head Engr. Jaycy Aguite, PENRO Admin Aide VI Laurence Andrew Agustin, Technical Department Head of PENRO-Laoag Engr. Sheila Camagon, and PENRO DMO III Jocelyn Pambid with the Brahminy Kite before its release.
A Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), locally known as “lawin” in Burgos, was rescued by Energy Development Corporation Burgos Wind Power Corporation (EBWPC) Head Engr. Andy T. Durog along the bypass road of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte on October 30, 2022.
Durog was driving home when a Brahminy Kite suddenly fell from the sky and was swept by a strong gust of wind, causing the bird to hit the car’s bumper. Concerned with the animal’s welfare, Durog immediately stopped his vehicle to check the bird’s status and remained with it until it regained consciousness. Durog, together with First Balfour Head Engr. Jaycy Aguite, turned over the rescued bird to local authorities at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources of Ilocos Norte (PENRO – Ilocos Norte). PENRO officials assessed the bird’s physical state and found it to be healthy. The lawin was successfully released in the forests of Laoag on November 4.
“I am just grateful that I was in the right place at the right time so that this Brahminy Kite can soon roam the skies of Burgos once more,” Durog says. “I would also like to thank our partner contractors and the PENRO for their immediate action and continued support for EDC’s regenerative mission,” he adds.
The DENR encourages the public to turn over captured or rescued wild animals for proper handling and care. Furthermore, Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, prohibits and penalizes the exploitation of wildlife species and their habitat.
EDC is the largest pure renewable energy company in the Philippines, operating 1,186 MW of geothermal, 150 MW of wind, 132 MW of hydroelectric power, and 12 MW of solar power plants— for a total of 1,480 MW of clean and renewable energy. Recognized as a world leader in geothermal technology, the Company operates in various locations in the Philippines, including Bicol, Leyte, Negros Island, and Mindanao. EDC, through its subsidiaries, also operates the biggest combined wind and solar farm in the region, located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and substantial hydropower assets located in Nueva Ecija. ##