Leyte beneficiaries reap benefits of ER1-94 funds from EDC, DOE

News release
May 30, 2022

Beneficiaries of Lopez-owned and geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in Ormoc and Kananga, Leyte continue to reap the benefit of hosting its geothermal plants directly from the company amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This benefit is in compliance with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Circular No. DC2018-08-0021 that requires energy generation companies and/or energy resource developers to directly provide their Energy Regulations (ER) No. 1-94 benefits equivalent to one centavo per kilowatt-hour (P0.01/kWh) of the total electricity sales to their host communities. The amendment intends to accelerate their socio-economic development and have more efficient utilization of funds, which used to be released by the DOE.

First Gen-owned EDC recently held a ceremonial turnover of checks amounting to PhP12.4M with its host local government units (LGUs) Ormoc City and Municipality of Kananga in Leyte, home to the company’s 726.7-Megawatt Leyte Geothermal Project, the company’s biggest geothermal facility that also has the world’s largest geothermal steamfield.

energy development corporation — Kananga Mayor Manuel Vicente M. Torres (center) as well as their respective barangay captains received Php7.3M worth of ER1-94 benefits for hosting EDC’s geothermal facilities in Leyte. EDC was represented by Atty Allan V. Barcena, its Corporate Relations & Communications Head (3rd from right); Erwin B. Magallanes, head of its Corporate Relations Department Head in Leyte (2nd from right); and Corporate Relations Partner Maria Sybil Villegas (extreme right).

The Municipality of Kananga ceremony was attended by Mayor Manuel Vicente “Matt” Torres, Vice Mayor Miguel Tan, Sangguniang Bayan Members Hon. An-an Napari Orfano, Hon. Richie Cruz, Hon. Rudy Cogay, Hon. Rex Capanas, Hon. Minerva Bulawit, Hon. Jeffsbor Cuizon, Municipal Administrator Atty. Adelito Solibaga, Jr. and LGU Kananga Municipal Treasurer Ms. Susan Delmonte. Also present were Lim-ao Punong Barangay & ABC President Hon. Nilo Gonzaga, Barangay Councilor Hon. Orlando Beltran, and Brgy. Treasurer Erwin Ledesma. Tongonan Punong Barangay Hon. Angelito Napoles was also present with Brgy. Treasurer Jessibel Carenea. Both are among EDC’s partner barangays in Leyte.

The city government of Ormoc was represented by City Administrator Vince Emnas, Councilor Vincent Rama, City Treasurer Delia Vilbar, City Legal Counsel Atty. Josephine Romero, City Planning Officer Ruth M. Tan.

For the past two years, both LGUs used the funds that they received quarterly for the construction of quarantine/isolation facilities and other initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the procurement of testing kits, PPEs, ambulances, stretchers, and other supplies. This year, they will still allocate a portion of the funds for their COVID-19 response and for some infrastructure projects in their respective areas.

“Our sincerest thanks to EDC for your continued support and great partnership with the LGU,” Municipality of Kananga Mayor Matt Torres expressed in his Facebook post.

“We are thankful that our bond with our partners in progress from both the Municipality of Kananga and Ormoc City became even stronger as we all worked together to triumph over this COVID-19 pandemic these past two years,” said Atty. Allan V. Barcena, head of EDC’s Corporate Relations & Communications Division. “This strong partnership enables EDC to continue its mission of generating 100% renewable energy to decarbonize our country for its regenerative future.”