EDC extends pampamilyang malasakit to Odette-stricken communities in Bohol

Media Release
January 04, 2022

 

Over 26,000 families in Bohol who spent Christmas in evacuation centers due to typhoon Odette that smacked the Visayas and Mindanao regions two weeks ago are about to receive their own aguinaldo (gifts) from the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the rest of the Lopez Group of Companies to which it is a part of, and its partners.

 

These presents are in the form of 11 container vans worth of much-needed generator sets, solar lamps, assorted clothes, blankets, rice, canned goods, and clean water. EDC’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Relations, Atty. Allan V. Barcena turned over the donations to Bohol Governor Arthur Yap and his team.

Dili mo namo pasagdan. Lopez-led EDC and its partners brought 11 container vans of generator sets, solar lamps, canned goods, clean water, clothes , and blankets for typhoon Odette-stricken families in Bohol, Cebu, and Southern Leyte.

“We mobilized a team a few days before Christmas to facilitate emergency purchases from different suppliers after receiving information that Bohol is still practically isolated and numerous families need food, clean water, and other supplies,” said Barcena.

 

Barcena closely coordinated with Giselle Quimpo, Governor Yap’s Chief of Staff, on the details of the relief mission and other logistical arrangements. 

 

Governor Yap reported that the food and water assistance will be distributed immediately while the generators will be given to water refilling stations. “Thank you, EDC, for this essential aid. We will not forget this,” said Yap. 

 

The governor further explained that they will bring these to Bohol Wisdom School for distribution. “Our plan in the next few days is to distribute the generators from EDC to water refilling stations to help in their operations as electric power connections are still unstable. At least we can help the local communities,” explained Yap.

Left-right: Bohol Governor Arthur Yap, Tom Espiñosa of the shipping firm carrying the container vans, and Provincial Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief Dr. Anthony Damalerio.

Apart from this relief mission, EDC is also helping its own employees, partner communities, and power customers in Negros Island and in Ormoc City and Kananga, Leyte who were affected by the strong typhoon.

 

In these trying times, EDC and the rest of the Lopez Group strive to fulfill their mission to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future through their pampamilyang malasakit matched with the spirit of Bayanihan that Filipinos are known for.

 

Apart from items that came from EDC and its employees, the company likewise accepted donations from external partners for its shipment to Bohol.

Solar lamps for typhoon victims. EDC donated 350 solar lights as the region continues to suffer from power outages due to Typhoon Odette that devastated the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
Discussion of aid for ‘Odette’ victims. Atty Allan Barcena, EDC’s head of CSR-PR, and Joy Santamarina, EDC’s Chief Transformation Officer, met with Bohol Governor Arthur Yap at the Provincial Capitol and discussed the company’s donations to the province.

Among the generous donors was Manila Water, which sent 498 5-gallon water containers; generator sets, and other relief goods from supporters of Governor Yap in Pampanga.

 

Three other container vans of donations that were included in the barge are en route to Odette-stricken families in Cebu and Southern Leyte.

 

EDC is First Gen’s 100% renewable energy (RE) arm, with over 1,480MW total installed capacity. It accounts for 20 percent of the country’s total installed RE capacity. Its almost 1,200MW geothermal portfolio comprises 62 percent 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.

 

The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is a pioneer in generating 100% clean, renewable, and reliable power as an electricity supplier in the Philippines for over 40 years. With power plants all over Visayas and Mindanao, the company is one of the biggest producers of geothermal energy in Asia and is expanding its reach in the international market, allowing it to offer customers affordable energy rates. EDC also strives to provide the best customer service it can to all its clients by having helpful salespeople and easy to understand contracts. Because of all of this, it is poised to become the premier supplier of electricity for the Philippines’ Green Energy Option Program. EDC takes its mission as a renewable energy provider seriously and goes beyond sustainability by investing in programs that enhance the environment and empower its partner communities, thereby fostering regenerative development. The company has also been working toward being carbon-neutral by improving its energy efficiency, as well as implementing various greening projects to ensure that its mission to provide future generations with a better life remains intact.