EDC, PPA partner to protect 21 rare native tree species

By Lenie Lectura - September 30, 2019

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/30/edc-ppa-partner-to-protect-21-rare-native-tree-species/

Energy Development Corp. (EDC) has partnered with nongovernment organization Philippine Permaculture Association (PPA) to protect and propagate 21 rare and threatened native tree species in Nueva Ecija.

Under EDC’s Binhi program, 152 seedlings from these species were planted in the premises of Cabiokid Foundation Inc., a 13-hectare permaculture development site and integrated farm that serves as PPA’s demonstration farm.

Binhi is the only corporate-led program to identify and propagate 96 rare and threatened native tree species. Through the program, EDC has reforested over 9,500 hectares with these indigenous species.

Binhi now has over 150 partners nationwide that help propagate these tree species.

PPA promotes knowledge on permaculture for sustainable agriculture. Permaculture is the practice of integrating people and the environment to create diverse, stable and resilient agricultural systems. It comes from the combination of the words “permanent” and “agriculture.”

Some of the species planted include yakal-saplungan, yakal-malibato, malabayabas, betis, apunan, pianga, kamagong, kamagong ponce, ipil, tindalo and supa. These species have dwindled in number in the wild and are no longer familiar to the younger generations.

EDC is one of the world’s largest geothermal producers and the country’s leading renewable-energy company with an installed capacity of 1,471.8 MW.

EDC is a subsidiary of the First Gen Corp., the country’s largest clean energy company, with a portfolio that included natural gas, geothermal, solar, wind and hydro.