ABOITIZ Power’s Hedcor, which operates a run-of-river hydropower generating facility, has committed to protect four kilometers of Talomo River under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Adopt-A-River program.
In this program, Hedcor partners with local government of Barangay Mintal, Davao City for the conservation and development of the river to improve its water quality.
Talomo River is the source of water for Hedcor’s longest running Talomo Hydropower facilities in Davao with a combined installed capacity of 4.47 megawatts (MWs) supplies the country with 185 MW renewable energy.
"To fulfill our commitment, Hedcor will continue its regular clean-up drive activities and our information education campaign on the importance of riverbank stabilization and river protection,” Rolando Pacquiao, vice president for Mindanao Operations said in a press statement sent to media Thursday afternoon, January 5.
He added that Hedcor will participate in community mobilization activities of DENR and the local government “to solicit the community participation and support for the program and ultimately provide a healthy, clean and safe environment.”
According to DENR, community mobilization activities are river clean-up, eco market day, tree planting and maintaining the growth of planted trees.
DENR- Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Davao Region Director Metodio Turbella said aside from tree planting, Hedcor also do river clean-up drives and other environment activities.
In 2013, Hedcor adopted a 31-kilometer stretch of Sibulan River in Davao del Sur.