Mariveles, Bataan: GNPower Mariveles Energy Center Ltd. Co. (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD), both AboitizPower subsidiaries, have completed planting 2,000 mangrove seedlings through their annual reforestation initiative, OkTREEberfest, this October.
The two plants located in Barangay Alas-Asin here partnered with the local government units of Orani and Samal in conducting tree planting activities in adopted mangrove sites in Bataan as their contribution to environmental sustainability by strengthening the coastal areas.
GMEC’s mangrove reforestation initiative has reached new levels after it signed on June 2023 a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the provincial government of Bataan, the Orani local government and the Tubo-Tubo Fisherfolks Association.
The MOA called for the adoption and rehabilitation of five hectares of mangrove site in Barangay Kabalutan in Orani for a period of five years.
GMEC this year decided to adopt another five hectares for a larger mangrove area in Bataan and transformed it into an eco-park to provide additional livelihood for members of the fisherfolk group.
GMEC shifted to planting mangroves instead of its usual mountain rehabilitation in the past years for its OkTREEberfest leg, planting 1,000 mangrove seedlings by volunteer employees and Tubo-Tubo fisherfolk.
Noting the successful mangrove planting activity, Joseph Chavez, CSR Program Manager of GMEC – RSM, thanked all the volunteers. “Maraming salamat sa palaging pagsama at patuloy na pagsuporta sa mga programa natin para sa ating mga partners sa Tubo-tubo.”
Kristian San Diego, Environment Programs Supervisor of GMEC – RSM, also took note of the importance of OkTREEberfest. “Sana sa susunod ay makita namin kayo ulit. Hintayin lang natin ang patuloy na development program natin sa area, mas dadami pa at mas gaganda ang ating mangrove area.”
For its part, GNPD began this year its mangrove adoption and rehabilitation project in Samal, signaling the start of GNPD’s partnership with the Samal LGU for the revival of the town’s mangrove areas.
GNPD workers, Samal representatives, and scholars of GNPD’s college scholarship program planted 1,000 mangrove seedlings, turning the total planted mangroves to 2,000 along with GMEC’s 1,000.
GMEC and GNPD consider the important role mangroves play in safeguarding biodiversity, preventing soil erosion and providing natural protection against storm surges.
Chosen for adaptability and substantial ecological benefits were mangrove species Avicennia and Sonneratia.
“Ang mga karaniwang puno ay may kakayahang mag-absorb ng carbon dioxide, pero ang mga mangroves ay may special powers kung tawagin,” said Mistylyn Isidro, officer of the provincial government environment and natural resources office, on the importance of mangroves.
“Kung ang ibang puno ay kaya mag-absorb ng 1-2 times ng carbon dioxide, ang mangroves ay kaya ng mas doble. Kung iisipin natin kung gaano karaming carbon dioxide ang kaya nilang i-absorb, ganun din kalaki ang ating maitutulong para makabawas sa climate change,” she furthered.
GMEC and GNPD said OkTREEberfest has now become a tradition for them that serve as an annual display of the organization’s drive to uphold environmental sustainability and strengthen community engagement by introducing employee volunteers to its partner communities.
Power plants officials said that this initiative satisfies the letter P and R of GMEC and GNPD’s CSR DNA, P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S., which stands for Protect Marine Life and Reforest Land.
“With each seedling that our volunteers plant, we help revitalize the ecological landscape of the province, ensuring that future generations will have a greener, more sustainable planet to live in,” they said. (30)
