Sto. Tomas, Batangas, December 22, 2025 – Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon S. Garin led the formal opening of Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) Visitor Center located inside the Maibarara Geothermal Power Facility (MGPF) complex in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, attended by MGI partners PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC), ACEN, and PNOC-Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC).
PGEC is a joint venture between Yuchengco-led PetroEnergy Resources Corporation and Kyuden International Corporation (KIC), the overseas investment arm of Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power Company, Inc.
“It’s a pleasure to be here in MGI, to formally open MGI’s Visitor Center, and join partners who share one clear purpose of accelerating transition to cleaner energy under the Philippine Energy Plan,” said Secretary Garin. “Just this week, we have signed a MOA with the Land Bank, operationalizing the Philippine Geothermal Resource De-Risking Facility (GRDF), to address investment risks in exploration and drive the development of geothermal energy in the Philippines. Maibarara’s success demonstrates that achieving our purpose requires more than just technological advancements. It is ensuring that we deliver benefits for the people and for our country,” adds Garin.
The newly inaugurated facility serves as a hub for geothermal energy education, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability advocacy. Designed to offer learning experience, the Visitor Center features displays on geothermal energy, key information on the development and operations of MGPF, and overview of MGI and its community partnership and environment protection programs.
The event also marked the launching of the Maibarara segment of We Power C.A.R.E., PGEC’s flagship biodiversity-focused environmental initiative which champions conservation, awareness, restoration, and ecotourism in regions hosting PGEC renewable energy projects. MGI commits to adopt Kapa-kapa (Medinilla magnifica Lindl.), a critically endangered flowering plant found only in the Philippines. The species is one of 30 endangered species adopted for conservation over the next 30 years under the We Power C.A.R.E program.
First introduced in 2024 through a partnership with UPLB, the program underscores PGEC and MGI’s call for collective action to protect natural ecosystems while advancing clean energy use.
 Secretary Sharon S. Garin led the formal opening of Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) Visitor Center located inside the Maibarara Geothermal Power Facility (MGPF) complex in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, attended by MGI partners PetroGreen Energy Corporation (PGEC), ACEN, and PNOC-Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC). ){kind=link}