GNPower Mariveles Energy Center Ltd. Co. (GMEC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Provincial Government of Bataan, Municipality of Orani, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Tubo-tubo Fisherfolks Association for the establishment of Baka1Bataan for its Mangrove Adoptation and Protection Project last June 14.
The project, which is worth around seven million pesos, is under the company’s flagship environmental project called P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S.
P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. stands for Protect marine life, Reforest Land, Optimize wealth from waste, Generate livelihood skills and income, Rehabilitate social infrastructure, Elevate educational opportunities, Safeguard quality health access, and Strengthen disaster resiliency.
Present during the MOA signing at Virginia’s Event Place were GMEC President and CEO Dennis Jordan, Orani Mayor Bondjong Pascual, PENRO Officer Raul Mamac, Tubo-tubo Fisherfolks Association Vice Chairman Jose Sally Raymundo, and select staff from the DENR and PGENRO.
“We are proud to be part of Bataan,” said Jordan. “We are committed to making sure that Bataan will progress, and we will serve the communities where we operate, and be responsible as citizens of Bataan.”
Arcel Madrid, GMEC AVP for Community Relations, highlighted the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program under P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. project. Mangrove is part of the “P” project under Protect Marine Life.
GMEC commits to continually co-create positive change, shared values, and sustainable social and environmental development to ultimately define energy for progress.
Mangroves can sequester three to five times more carbon than forest trees. International studies and research have shown the positive effects of mangroves on the environment, as it can mitigate climate change, and support marine biodiversity and economic sustainability.
Spearheading a holistic approach, the project will revolve around adoption, protection, sustainable livelihood, and ecotourism which will leave a mark of a positive environmental, coastal, and community impact.
There are four aspects to the Mangrove Adoption and Protection project.
The first one is adopting a mangrove site. The process of selecting which area to adopt and getting approval from the Bataan LGU is tedious. With so many companies on the lineup as project owner, GMEC was fortunate to have been awarded the project.
Second is maintaining and protecting mangroves. This offers protection against natural disasters like flooding and wave surges as well as support to the local biodiversity.
This aims to conserve fisheries resources by rehabilitating mangrove areas in the province. To this date, GMEC has been coordinating with LGUs and PGENRO to identify the effective strategies to implement the project in September.
Third is building a stronger stakeholder relationship with the LGU and government environmental agencies.
This ensures alignment of the company’s CSR goals to national development. GMEC is committed to addressing concerns and opening the table to recommendations to reflect the value of collaboration towards the success of the project.
The fourth aspect is empowering community partners, which in this case is the Tubo-tubo Fisherfolks Association.
GMEC will not only implement a project, but more than that, the company will uplift the lives of the fisherfolks by providing a sustainable fishing ground and viable alternative livelihood to improve their socio-economic status.
