Malinao, Albay — The Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC) recently launched a major environmental initiative to plant more than one million trees over the next five years, covering over 1,200 hectares across seven provinces in Luzon.

The re-greening program is designed to enhance forest cover and restore biodiversity in areas surrounding PGPC’s existing and future geothermal steam fields. Target sites include the foothills of Mt. Makiling in Batangas and Laguna; Mt. Daklan in Benguet; Mt. Malinao in Albay; Mt. Labo in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Quezon; and selected areas of the Bicol Natural Park.

“This re-greening program underscores PGPC’s dual commitment to clean energy and the environment,” said Napoleon L. Saporsantos Jr., PGPC President. “It reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship as we develop new geothermal energy sources that will significantly contribute to the country’s renewable energy portfolio.”

The program was launched with a ceremonial planting of 1,000 seedlings at PGPC’s geothermal reservation in Barangay Sugcad, Malinao, Albay, with the participation of representatives from national government agencies, provincial and local government units, community and civic organizations, and PGPC executives and employees.

A pioneer in geothermal energy in Southeast Asia since 1979, PGPC currently operates two geothermal steam fields with a combined capacity of up to 300 megawatts (MW) in Tiwi, Albay and Mak-Ban in Batangas and Laguna. The company is actively expanding its footprint through exploration and development of new concession areas across Luzon, which are projected to contribute an additional 300 MW of baseload renewable energy in the coming years.