Hedcor volunteers clean up adopted creeks

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Team members from renewable energy developer Hedcor volunteered their time to clean up a section of the Bolo Creek in La Trinidad.

The clean-up drive signaled the official launch in Benguet of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Adopt-an-Estero program.

The volunteers removed more than 200 kilos of garbage and other debris from the creek. The team also worked to clear plants that block the waterway.

Hedcor became a part of the Adopt-an-Estero Program when it entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DENR on June 15. The MOA contains Hedcor’s commitment to care for and maintain a 350-meter section of the Bolo Creek.

The creek is a tributary of the Balili River where four of Hedcor’s run-of-river hydroelectric power plants operate.

Under the MOA, Hedcor is to assist in information education campaigns for communities to care for the creek. Hedcor will also conduct community activities to train the community members on proper waste management.

The Adopt-an-Estero program started in 2010 as an effort to restore the esteros in Metro Manila.

“This is a joint effort from all sectors to help us develop the community,” said La Trinidad Vice Mayor Romeo Salda during the MOA signing. “We look forward to more partnerships with the private sector,” he added.

Hedcor is the largest developer of run-of-river hydropower plants in the country, with 19 run-of-river hydropower plants in Benguet, Ilocos and Davao with a total capacity of 155 megawatts. (PR)