MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (PIA)— Hedcor Bukidnon Inc, AboitizPower’s run-of-river hydropower subsidiary, provides its host communities with over P340,000 worth of sustainable livelihood through the Land Rehabilitation and Livelihood Project on Bamboo Production NC II in August last year. This was in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation Inc., together with TESDA Manolo Fortich and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Manolo Fortich.

“Hedcor Bukidnon is making this project possible to ensure our host community landowners become competent bamboo farmers. Through this, they will earn income and at the same time, protect the Amusig river,” says Noreen Marie Vicencio, Vice President for Corporate Services.

Twenty-five landowners are participating in a community-based training that is managed by PESO Manolo Fortich at Barangay Santiago Covered Court to become competent bamboo farmers and/or bamboo nursery operators. Trainees will be able to establish a bamboo farm, conduct a bamboo clump rehabilitation, and conduct harvesting and post-harvesting operations.

This project entails a three-year land rehabilitation program divided into three phases: Year 1–Revegetation; Year 2–Capability-building and Skills Training; and Year 3–Production and Marketing. This is also in support of the implementation of the Watershed Management Plan (WMP).

Through this program, landowners are encouraged to be independent and self-sustaining as they seek to improve their education and receive continued support as they work to successfully complete a program.

"We are very happy that in the entire Region 10, our Barangay was selected to pioneer in Bamboo Production. It was a great opportunity for us. Knowing how big Hedcor's dreams are for us, and for choosing us, we will never take this for granted. This is a very big help to us,” says Kagawad Heleborn Moncado, who was also one of the trained landowners.

Moncado also thanked Aboitiz Foundation and Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc.'s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Department for sponsoring the project, as well as their trainer, Ms. Helen Pilaris, who assisted and supported them throughout the program.

The 25 landowners who completed the first phase went through a 195-hour competency-based curriculum, Bamboo Production NC II. The course included practicing safety measures, and operating simple equipment utilizing various tools.

Through this program, the participants’ skills were honed to become competent in bamboo farming. (RADela Cruz Hedcor-AboitizPower/PIA 10-Bukidnon)