Over 26,000 families in Bohol who spent Christmas in evacuation centers due to typhoon Odette that smacked the Visayas and Mindanao regions two weeks ago are about to receive their own aguinaldo (gifts) from the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the rest of the Lopez Group of Companies to which it is a part of, and its partners.

These presents are in the form of 11 container vans worth of much needed generator sets, solar lamps, assorted clothes, blankets, rice, canned goods, and clean water. EDC’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Relations, Atty. Allan V. Barcena turned over the donations to Bohol Governor Arthur Yap and his team.

“We mobilized a team a few days before Christmas to facilitate emergency purchases from different suppliers after receiving information that Bohol is still practically isolated and numerous families need food, clean water, and other supplies,” said Barcena.

Barcena closely coordinated with Giselle Quimpo, Governor Yap’s Chief of Staff, on the details of the relief mission and other logistical arrangements.

Governor Yap reported that the food and water assistance will be distributed immediately while the generators will be given to water refilling stations. “Thank you, EDC, for this essential aid. We will not forget this,” said Yap.

The governor further explained that they will bring these to Bohol Wisdom School for distribution. “Our plan in the next few days is to distribute the generators from EDC to water refilling stations to help in their operations as electric power connections are still unstable. At least we can help the local communities,” explained Yap.

Apart from this relief mission, EDC is also helping its own employees, partner communities, and power customers in Negros Island and in Ormoc City and Kananga, Leyte who were affected by the strong typhoon.

In these trying times, EDC and the rest of the Lopez Group strive to fulfil their mission to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future through their pampamilyang malasakit matched with the spirit of Bayanihan that Filipinos are known for.

Apart from items that came from EDC and its employees, the company likewise accepted donations from external partners for its shipment to Bohol.

Among the generous donors was Manila Water, which sent 498 5-gallon water containers; generator sets and other relief goods from supporters of Governor Yap in Pampanga.

Three other container vans of donations that were included in the barge are en route to Odette-stricken families in Cebu and Southern Leyte.

EDC is First Gen’s 100% renewable energy (RE) arm, with over 1,480MW total installed capacity. It accounts for 20 percent of the country’s total installed RE capacity. Its almost 1,200MW geothermal portfolio comprises 62 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity and has put the Philippines on the map as the 3rd largest geothermal producer in the world.