26 February 2021 – To help protect the Calatagan coastline in Batangas, South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation (SLTEC) has collaborated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to support and monitor the growth of a 10-hectare mangrove plantation in the province.
The mangrove adoption underpins the National Greening Program of the DENR that aims to onboard responsible stewards of nature to restore, rehabilitate and develop the wide expanses of wetlands.
As a critical component of the Philippine marine ecosystems, mangroves are rich in biodiversity. They grow to have tangled root systems that form dense thickets, protecting coastlines from wind and waves during typhoons and other natural disasters while also serving as fish nurseries for many species of marine life. The number of mangroves in the country and around the world have dwindled at an alarming rate due to threats such as pollution, habitat destruction and overpopulation.
“Restoring these mangrove forests have immense ecological benefits and will also help mitigate the effects of climate change,” said Sebastian Lacson, President of SLTEC, expressing full support for the rehabilitation program. “With the public and private sectors coming together in a fruitful collaboration for the environment, we are ensured of its success. SLTEC will continue to support efforts to help conserve and raise awareness for environment protection.”
With Lacson during the signing were DENR Regional Executive Director Nonito Tamayo, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) officer Noel Recillo, and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) officer Isagani Amatorio.
The mangrove adoption is the latest foray of the power plant in strengthening its initiatives anchored on sustainability.
Previously, SLTEC had adopted a 1 km stretch of Sinisian River as part of the Adopt-a-Water-Body Program of the DENR to restore the environmental quality of creeks and rivers In the country. In 2018, SLTEC was recognized by the Environment Management Bureau of the DENR for the plant’s Best Available Practices geared towards sustainability.
Operating as a baseload plant, SLTEC supplies the power demand of Luzon. The company owns and operates a 2 x 122 MW circulating fluidized bed thermal plant in Calaca, Batangas, with the first unit commencing its operations in April 2015, followed by the second unit in February 2016. SLTEC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AC Energy Corporation.
