STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur – Hedcor continues to intensify its support to the local government units (LGUs) and host communities in the province of Davao del Sur by releasing P21,794 million worth of community shares generated from the total attributable energy sales of Sibulan A, Sibulan B, Tudaya 1 and Tudaya 2 hydro power plants from last year.
Hedcor President and COO Rolando G. Pacquiao said the community shares are part of Hedcor's commitment to be a catalyst for development and change for a more sustainable future for the country.
“Hedcor strongly supports inclusive growth in its host communities aside from generating employment opportunities for local workers. We hope that these will be used for the communities to keep pace with developments," said Pacquiao.
Of the total amount, P6.2 million each went to the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur and the Municipality of Santa Cruz, while an amount of P260,000 was given to Digos City.
In addition, host barangays in Santa Cruz also received their shares; consisting of P2 million for Barangay Darong, P1.5 million for Barangay Sibulan, and P260,000 for Barangay Astorga.
As part of efforts to help preserve the rich culture and tradition of indigenous peoples (IP), community shares allocated for their development programs such as access road openings, energization projects, tribal halls and water systems were also completed and turned over to the Barangay Tribal Council of Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, KAPIID KA BANUA, INC. and Tudaya Falls Tribal Association.
LGU and tribal leaders alike gave assurances that the funds would be spent to further develop their respective communities.
"I assure AboitizPower and Hedcor that (the Municipality of) Santa Cruz will be your solid partner today and, in the years, to come." said Municipality of Santa Cruz Mayor Nelson "Tata" Sala, lauding Hedcor’s commitment to its promise of advancing business and communities.
"We will use the grant to purchase patient transport vehicles to further improve our services to the community during emergency cases," he added.
Meanwhile, Davao del Sur Governor Yvonne R. Cagas said most of their shares will be prioritized for education.
"The largest portion of the grant will be allocated to the province's education programs because the LGU and Hedcor believe that investing in children means we are investing in our future," the governor stated.
The recent releases brought the total amount received by contiguous LGUs and IP groups to P156 million since 2010 when Hedcor started releasing the revenue shares to them.
"Aside from the community shares, Hedcor will be working with the local government unit and community leaders in implementing a series of health, education, and livelihood projects this year in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation to help spur grassroots development and invigorate partnership with the community," Pacquiao said.
Hedcor is the run-of-river hydropower arm of AboitizPower, managing and operating 22 hydropower plants that generate 278-megawatts (MW) of clean and renewable energy. (Hedcor)
