Another venture to preserve the majestic sea turtle species in Bataan succeeded, with the local government unit teaming up with La Union last week under the sponsorship of GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD).
The group, consisting of representatives from Bataan’s Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO), Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Bataan Peninsula State University, Sitio Fuerte Sagip Pawikan Association, and GNPD’s Community Relations Department, were welcomed into the province of La Union by Governor Rafy Ortega-David. The courtesy call turned out to be one of the wins of the benchmarking program, as Gov. Ortega stressed the fruitful partnership between the Bataan LGU and La Union LGU, which helped make the visit possible.
“Naniniwala kami na walang tourism kung hindi maayos ang ating environment dito sa La Union,” Ortega said.
“We value our commitment to our environment and allotted 60 percent of the department’s budget to environment-related projects to foster our corporate social responsibility,” said Arcel Madrid, assistant vice president for community relations of GNPD.
To further introduce the Bataenos to their pawikan conservation efforts, the team proceeded to meet and discuss with Carlos Tamayo, president of Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions (CURMA), about their methods in rehabilitating injured pawikans, and inspiring volunteerism in the province.
CURMA, one of La Union’s flagship associations in preserving marine life, is restoring a malnourished sea turtle in the facility. The efforts were also initiated by volunteers, much like the Sitio Fuerte Sagip Pawikan Association, which is why the group truly made the most of the visit by sharing practices from all organizations to get inspiration on which one they could implement.
La Union is not only passionate about saving pawikans—it also aims to enrich all kinds of life, as introduced by Toby Tamayo of Beekeeper’s La Union Farm. Amid the tall bamboo trees and vivid forests of the farm were innovative practices on how bamboo species that may not survive in Philippine weather can thrive in the right hands.
Indeed, this initiative is not wasted in vain, seeing as how La Union’s alluring scenery goes beyond that of its beaches and sunny sights.
After a very productive visit at CURMA, the team was awed by the sprawling corals of Immuki Island and the mangroves of Bauang Bakawan Eco-tourism Park, which furthers the environmental ties of the province to GNPD. The group had a chance to witness the corals and mangroves in the area, which are also part of GNPD’s prospects back home in Bataan.
The benchmarking program concluded with a courtesy call from Bauang Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin P. de Guzman III, who also shared his enthusiasm for the partnership between the LGUs.
GNPD is dedicated to developing long-term, dependable environmental and social development initiatives relevant to nurturing and supporting its community and environment to co-create positive change and empower progress.
GNPD is a 2×725 MW (gross) coal-fired power plant in Mariveles, Bataan which is considered by far the biggest coal-fired power plant in the country today, spanning 30 distribution utility contracts and two retail electricity suppliers.
GNPD operates under the private limited partnership of AboitizPower’s Therma Power Inc. and Ayala Corp.’s AC Energy Holdings Inc. and Power Partners Ltd. Co.