First Gen-owned Energy Development Corporation (EDC)’s 222.5-megawatt (MW) Southern Negros Geothermal Project (SNGP) has been certified as compliant with the minimum health standards set by the government in light of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) threat.
The firm, in a statement yesterday, September 27, said getting the safety seal certification is voluntary.
The geothermal leader, though, took on the challenge and invited representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to inspect its 24/7 green energy facility in Valencia, Negros Oriental to showcase its health and safety protocols for its employees and contractors on site, it said.
Engineer Debonnaire Mamhot, head of the SNGP, said the utmost importance that they give to the health and safety of the workforce and partners have been put to the test since the start of the pandemic last year.
“It was imperative for the EDC to keep everyone safe from the time they enter our facilities to the time they go home to their families as we continue to provide an uninterrupted source of clean, reliable power to our country,” Mamhot said.
Through the collaborative efforts of EDC’s Occupational Health team and Covid-19 officers led by Mary Trishia Alesna, Safety Officers Earl Alano and Ma. Theresa Cardino, and Compliance Officer Bonife Marie Gaso-Llena, the firm was able to showcase SNGP’s protocols and its implementation.
The measures included thorough health entry screening including temperature scanners, health declaration form and QR code scanning; strengthened Covid-Health Information, Education and Communication campaign; establishment of signage reminding everyone of the company’s minimum health standards and the need for full compliance.
“This certification encourages us to share our best practices with our stakeholders and other companies to help them keep their own people safe from Covid-19 and harm,” Mamhot added.
EDC took pride that its team in Negros has been consistently recognized for its practices that go beyond compliance and sustainability.
In June this year, it won the Gawad Tugas award for the Clean Air and Water-Power Plant Category from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its exemplary performance in environmental protection, conservation, and management.
In 2020, its Baslay Coffee Project for its Baslay Farmers’ Association also received the prestigious Grand Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines and the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award for Enterprise Development from the League of Corporate Foundations’ CSR Guild Awards.
The EDC, likewise, elevates its power customers in Negros Island and all over the country by helping them lower their carbon footprint and even becoming carbon neutral through the clean, reliable, geothermal energy or Geo 24/7 that it provides them, it said.
In total, the firm generates over 40 percent of the Philippines’ renewable energy output and serves about 10 percent of the country’s overall electricity demand with its installed capacity of almost 1,500MW, it added. (EPN)