GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) signed a three-year agreement worth P4.3M last July 25, 2023, with the Provincial Government of Bataan, PGENRO, and the Sagip Pawikan Foundation to adopt the local pawikan hatchery at Sitio Fuerte, Brgy. Poblacion, Morong, Bataan.
Symbolically held at the heart of the province, The Bunker at Balanga, Bataan, the memorandum of agreement marked the beginning of the company’s flagship program of nurturing the pawikans in the province, which serves as the home to three out of five identified species in the country: olive ridley, hawksbill, and green turtles. This was further emphasized by Arcel Madrid, AVP for Community
Relations, in his opening remarks, “Now more than ever, we need to strengthen our commitment to protecting the magnificent pawikans to ensure their longevity.”
“As the largest coal-fired power plant in the Philippines, we are also eager to participate in environmental programs like this hatchery adoption, so we can not only prevent the extinction of pawikans, but to also teach the community about their importance,” Madrid added.
Meanwhile, Gov. Jose Enrique S. Garcia III shared how pawikans contribute to our seas. “Ang pagkakaroon ng mga pawikan ay senyales ng magandang estado ng karagatan [in the province of Bataan].” Furthermore, he also mentioned how the species booststhe economy, as it has now become a tourist attraction in the province.
Garcia also pondered on why the pawikans became endangered in the past, citing poaching and smuggling as one of the main reasons. As such, these conservation projects that aim to restore their population are highly essential. “We would also like to extend our gratitude to GNPower Dinginin, for the partnership, opportunity, technical assistance, resources, and financial support to make the project possible,” Garcia concluded.
Also present at the event was Dennis B. Jordan, president and CEO of GNPD, who expressed his appreciation to GNPD, Sitio Fuerte Sagip Pawikan Association, and the Provincial Government of
Bataan for their efforts to preserve the pawikans. “It’s both an honor and a marvel to be on the frontlines of a company that is passionate, committed, and proactive in maintaining and protecting
the hatchery areas of our pawikans,” Jordan expressed.
“GNPD is very serious in these matters, especially those that fall into the letter P of their PROGRESS Project: Protect Marine Life. These programs display our unfaltering dedication in helping the province of Bataan, and it’s rewarding to see it all bear fruit,” Jordan added.
GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. GNPower Energy Complex, Sitio Dinginin, Brgy. Alasasin Mariveles, Bataan, 2105, Philippines This project brings to life one of GNPD’s focuses under the P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. Project – to Protect Marine Life. Research affirms that pawikans play a vital role in keeping the oceans healthy and safe for other species. They feed seagrass beds and coral reefs that serve as a natural habitat for many marine species and transport nutrients and energy within and between these habitats.
GNPD is committed to continuously creating sustainable and reliable environmental and social development programs relevant to nurturing and supporting our community and environment to co-create positive change and empower progress.
References:
Olive Ridley Project. (2020). Why are sea turtles important to the environment? Olive Ridley Project.
https://oliveridleyproject.org/ufaqs/why-are-sea-turtles-important-to the-environment#:~:text=They%20also%20serve%20as%20significant,health%20of%20the%20world’s%20oceans.
About the GNPD
GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (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 Corporation’s AC Energy Holdings, Inc. and Power Partners Ltd. Co.
UNIT 1 of the project has been generating power since March 2021 and went into commercial operation on December 2, 2021. Unit 2 successfully synchronized to the grid on April 23, 2022, and on May 27, 2022, it started to operate at its full load capacity. Certificate of Compliance was awarded to GNPD Unit 2 last October 11, 2022.
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