MARIVELES, Bataan — GNPower Mariveles Energy Center Lt. Co. (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) on Wednesday planted more than 400 saplings of narra and announced the adoption of 109 hectares of forest land and the taking care of about 130 hectares of woodland at Mt. Tarak here.
The annual tree planting activity, now on its second year, is under the program “Oktreeberfest” of GMEC and GNPD together with the Mariveles municipal environment and natural resources office pursuant to their goal of contributing to the environment and the community where they operate.
The two firms operate in Barangay Alas-Asin, Mariveles the biggest coal-fired power plants in the country. Famous for mountain climbing, Mt. Tarak is frequently visited by tourists.
This year’s activity has for its theme “Aksiyon Para sa Kalikasan” where around 50 employees of the power firms participated. Last year’s tree-planting was held at the wooded area of the “I Love Mariveles” standee at the Zigzag Road, also in Alas-Asin.
GMEC-GNPD Total Rewards and System Analytics manager Clarence Luna who attended the event encouraged the participants to continue to volunteer in environmental initiatives, especially tree planting.
“We always support causes like this because it not only helps the environment but it also helps the community. Let us plant a tree with pride and dignity,” she urged.
GNPD environment officer Denmark Palma said that the Oktreeberfest activity is a “remarkable action of the company and all volunteers in protecting and creating a greener environment.” He said that it is beneficial not only to GNPD and nearby communities but also to future generations.
MENRO representative and forest ranger Melvin Claro also joined the event. “On behalf of the municipal environment and natural resources office, kami ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa GMEC at GNPD sa paglalaan ng oras para sa mga activity na katulad nito.”
“Ito ay malaking tulong para sa aming patuloy na pag-aalaga sa ating kagubatan dito sa Mariveles,” he added.
The activity is part of the companies’ flagship corporate social responsibility program called P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S., under the “R” or Reforest Land arm. GMEC and GNPD believe that planting trees increases the resilience of ecosystems, helps minimize climate change effects, and gives the government and the people time to adapt to changing climate conditions.
Planting native seedlings in ecologically appropriate areas, the power plants’ officials said, can also improve air quality, conserve water resources, and counteract soil and biodiversity loss which ultimately progresses the host community’s health and well-being. Photos courtesy of GMEC-GNPD
