EDC BINHI Arboretum advances forest restoration efforts

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

To strengthen efforts against climate change and biodiversity loss, the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), in partnership with the ASEAN-ROK Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), inaugurated the EDC BINHI Arboretum within the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Reservation in Albay.

The arboretum, a collection of 20 threatened and endemic native tree species, is not only a biodiversity sanctuary but also a significant step toward the restoration of forest cover in the region. DENR Assistant Director Ronel Sopsop underscored its alignment with the Philippine Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (PBSAP) 2024–2040, which prioritizes eliminating invasive alien species and regenerating native forests to combat biodiversity loss.

“This project showcases public-private collaboration to restore forests and protect biodiversity,” Sopsop said. “The arboretum celebrates Bicol’s unique flora, while also serving as an educational and ecological asset for generations to come.”

The project includes the restoration of 100 hectares of degraded forestlands within the geothermal reservation, a critical Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) home to endangered species such as the golden-crowned flying fox. It also offers an outdoor research platform, promotes sustainable forest management, and creates habitats for wildlife, contributing to the region’s climate resilience.

AFoCO Vice Executive Director Jin Sunpil expressed gratitude to EDC, DENR, and local communities for their proactive efforts. “This initiative demonstrates the success of public-private partnerships and serves as a model for other member countries,” he said.

The collaboration began in July 2023, marking AFoCO’s first partnership with a private-sector entity in the Philippines and Asia. The project also produced a publication on the conservation of threatened species in the Bicol region and aims to document best practices in forest rehabilitation, aligning with global sustainability goals such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ma. Nancy P. Ibuna, EDC Corporate Relations Head, highlighted the collective effort behind the arboretum. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners in government, the local community, and our BINHI foresters. Together, we plant the seeds of resilience and biodiversity for a greener, more sustainable future,” she said.

The BINHI program, through which EDC has restored over 10,000 hectares of degraded lands in the past 15 years, continues to transform denuded areas into thriving ecosystems. The Bacon-Manito arboretum is the 45th in EDC’s growing network and stands as a testament to the corporation’s commitment to reforestation and biodiversity conservation.

EDC is the renewable energy arm of First Gen Corporation, contributing 1,169.85 MW of the country’s geothermal energy capacity, making the Philippines the third-largest geothermal energy producer globally.

Lawyer Allan Barcena, EDC Assistant Vice President and Head of Corporate Functions and Jin Sunpil, AFoCO vice executive director led the planting of native tree species in the newest BINHI Arboretum—the 45th in its growing network—at the EDC Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project in Cabacongan village, Manito, Albay. A project that will bolster the fight against climate change. (RHaydz Barcia)

OFFICIALS of EDC, DENR and AFoCO from Korea pose for photo opportunity after the launching of Arboretumat the EDC Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project in Cabacongan village, Manito, Albay. A project that will bolster the fight against climate change. (RHaydz Barcia)