First Gen-owned geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) emphasized the value of youth empowerment to ignite regenerative thinking among its scholars in the face-to-face solidarity building and leadership skills training held at the Keitech facility in Kananga, Leyte in July 20-21.
More than 70 SIKAT scholars from EDC’s areas of operations in Sorsogon, Legazpi City, Bacolod City, Dumaguete, Leyte, Kidapawan City, and Ilocos Norte gathered together for the much-awaited event of the scholars.
In the opening message delivered by EDC Leyte Corporate Relations Department Head Erwin Magallanes, he highlighted the need for the scholars to understand what regenerative thinking means and its alignment with the geothermal energy leader’s mission. “Always remember that you are an EDC SIKAT scholar who values the role of our environment and recognizes its significance to us. Therefore, we should be at the forefront of protecting and conserving our environment, and influencing our families and communities to do the same. Let’s elevate everything around us just like how EDC elevates its stakeholders,” Magallanes explained.
During the two-day activity, scholars experienced a guided tour around the geothermal power plant and planted trees in a site in EDC’s Housing Village, in Brgy. Aguiting, Kananga. They also learned about the highlights of the known inspirational, self-help book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.
Meluny Bregabiel, a 3rd year Food Technology SIKAT scholar from UP Visayas – Miag-ao Campus, shared her realizations on her first personal solidarity building experience. “As a climate justice advocate, I laud EDC’s undeniable commitment towards regenerative thinking for our environment,” she shared.
“We are trailblazers of change. We will inspire them to be environmental advocates. Our role is to influence the people around us to be conscious of their actions towards environmental protection and conservation, and contribute to reverse the worsening effects of climate change,” Bregabiel further narrated.
On the second day of the event, team building activities were facilitated by the SIKAT Alumni Association members. Each activity highlighted the SIKAT values such as excellence, integrity, unity, social justice, and nationalism. To further widen the perspectives of the students on environmental programs, Dr. Renezita Come, Professor and former Dean of College of Forestry and Environmental Science from the Visayas State University (VSU), presented the roles of youth in raising environmental awareness/ advocacies and the importance of biodiversity.
“Philippines is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world and with high endemism. To protect our biodiversity, students like you have vital roles to play like conducting biodiversity awareness campaigns in communities because sharing of knowledge has ripple effects,” Dr. Come explained.
She added that simple initiatives like putting up signages and knowledge centers and tree planting / growing activities are also ways in enhancing biodiversity.
During the two-day enrichment bootcamp, SIKAT scholars can’t help but recall how they started their journey as a beneficiary of EDC’s scholarship program, and what they feel about being part of the first face-to-face solidarity building since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robert Ditona Jr.,a 3rd year BS Education student in Sorsogon State College, expressed his gratitude for being an EDC SIKAT scholar since Grade 7. “ I am beyond grateful to be one of EDC’s scholars in the Bicol region. My father is a tricycle driver while my mother is a plain housewife. The financial assistance that EDC has been providing is such a big help to me and my family. If ever, I will be the first in our family to have a college education when I finish my degree next school year.
Robert also described his experience in attending the SIKAT event as truly unforgettable. “We traveled almost 20 hours by land from Sorsogon City but it’s worth it. This is the first time to personally meet my fellow scholars around the country. I also enjoyed all the talks and activities because these will help me for my personal growth.
Another BS Education scholar in Mariano Marcos State University in Ilocos Norte, Reynald Ravina, revealed that he did not pass the EDC SIKAT scholarship screening in 2020, he will not be able to study college and be one of the participants of the SIKAT event.
“I have been working since I was 10 years old. I worked as a construction worker, a waiter, and a helper in a mushroom production company. I have been striving so hard to support my education and help my family in our daily basic needs. It was in 2018 when my life was shuttered with the sudden passing of my father. After that tragic event in our family, my life had no direction not until EDC gave me an opportunity to study in college,” Reynald said.
Ancient Cationg, a 2nd year BS Chemistry student from Visayas State University recalled how destiny opened an opportunity for her in EDC. “I did not pass a government scholarship and I am super disappointed to have missed that. One day before the deadline, my friend told me that the SIKAT scholarship program is open for applicants, so I tried. I did not expect that I would be qualified because of the short notice. Now, it made sense to me why I did not pass on the first scholarship opportunity that I applied for because SIKAT is the one for me,” Ancient recalled.
SIKAT is EDC’s banner education program that provides quality education to underprivileged yet deserving students from partner communities in all sites across the country. This program allows students to become successful individuals, help their family break the cycle of poverty, and contribute to nation-building.
Under the SIKAT program, student-beneficiaries are gathered annually in a solidarity and enrichment program that aims to build the relationship between the scholars and help them learn from each other’s knowledge and experiences.
EDC is First Gen Corporation’s 100 percent renewable energy subsidiary with over 1,480MW total installed capacity that accounts for 20 percent of the country’s total installed renewable energy 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.
