IF only to add up to the sustainable and clean energy provisions for mainland Bohol, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado is offering investors in solar power some 1760 hectares for solar farms and its proposed tree planting component.
Speaking during the Kick-Off of the One For Trees Watershed Improved for Sustainable Environment (OFT-WISE) and Coastal Watershed Improved for Sustainable Environment (COASTWISE) at the new Capitol, the governor welcomed One Meralco Foundation who, despite having no business operations in Bohol, still, the company puts up its corporate social responsibility project here.
Along with a local Non-Government Organization called Participatory Research and Organization of Communities for Education towards Struggle for Self-reliance (PROCESS) Bohol, One Meralco is putting up 100,000 trees in Bohol in the next three years.
Of these, 50,000 would be upland trees focusing on the areas of the Carood Watershed which have been devastated by the 2021 typhoon Odette, while another 50,000 mangroves would be planted in the coastal areas of five towns in eastern Bohol which have been first hit by the waves and winds brought about by storms.
Led by One Meralco Foundation president Jeffrey Tarayao, the One Meralco team and PROCESS are “partnering with people’s organizations in the areas to put up the activities designed to achieve the goal while positively responding to the church call for Seasons of Creation,” said PROCESS Executive Director Aurelio Salgados Jr.
Meralco, the largest private sector electric distribution utility company in the country and committed to providing reliable and affordable energy, is serving 36 cities and 75 towns and owns over half of the country’s electricity output.
With Bohol desperately finding investors who could provide for the much needed power requirement to get the cogs of development churning here, the governor asked One Meralco, to tell their officials that Bohol can provide the space for them should they put up solar farms here.
Bohol has since trudged the way for clean and sustainable renewable energy and has shunned away from drity energy especially those using fossil fuels.
“Tell your bosses, we are offering a space somewhere in Ubay, its 1760 hectares, I want to invite power players here,” he made his offer before the people gathered for the tree planting kick off activity.
He said he has also invited Enrique Razon, Ayala and Aboitiz, offering a spot in the same space in Ubay.
He shared that out of the same area, he wants not just solar farms but tree plantations as well.
Aumentado, who came in after Bohol leaders before him has set the parameters for a strict green and sustainable energy for Bohol, also came in with Bohol still getting power from coal fired plants in Cebu, and the leaders then mum about it.
One Meralco Foundation, who has come in, has been putting up small solar power packages for their School Electrification Projects (SEP) with the Department of Education in the islands off northeastern Bohol.
These are welcome additions to all our initiatives, we definitely need partners who will help make Bohol grow an environment conducive to business and development, the governor said, while stating it is an honor and privilege to welcome One Meralco Foundation and their efforts to help Bohol attain its goals for a green province.
This time, while One Meralco Fdn set up solar power for Gaus Elementary School, Juanito Paula Cruse High School both in Gaus Island and Maomawan Elementary School, all in Bien Unido, the company’s employees association also pooled resources to hand in LED televisions, laptop computers and printers for the energized schools. (RAHC/PIA-7/Bohol)
