Bago City lauds EDC for COVID-19 assistance

Every crisis or adversity will reveal your genuine partners for progress.

Thus was Bago City’s realization as their city continued to fight the battle against COVID-19. As the city with the 3rd highest number of confirmed cases among Negros Occidental’s 14 cities and with localized lockdowns implemented in certain areas, its local government knew that they needed all the help they can get.

Sensing its host community’s great need, Lopez-led renewable energy leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) found a way to provide assistance to Bago City where it is needed the most by donating 50 sacks of rice and 50 gallons of disinfecting alcohol for its local residents.

“We know how crucial it is to bring in food and alcohol to those lockdown areas since a lot of stores and government offices and agencies also had to be closed to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Norreen G. Bautista, head of EDC’s CSR team in Negros and in Mount Apo. “This is part of our commitment to keep helping Bago City despite this COVID-19 crisis and even if our operations are only in Southern Negros.”

The donation was turned over by Jayvi Valenzuela, EDC’s Community Partner from its Negros geothermal facility, to Mr. Allan F. Seṅeres, Administrative Officer of LGU Bago City.

To express its deepest gratitude and appreciation to EDC, the Bago City Sangguniang Panlungsod has released Resolution 20-240 to officially thank the company for its “support and selfless contribution” during this COVID-19 pandemic.

“On behalf of the City of Bago, I would like to express our sincerest thanks for the support of the Lopez Group of Companies to the people of Bago,” said Mr. Seṅeres.

The activity is part of EDC’s 3rd wave of COVID-19 community assistance in Negros Occidental. EDC began providing aid to its partner communities, local government units, and customers at the onset of the pandemic even if it has no operations in the area as part of its commitment to continuously support Negros Occidental, which gets power from its 222.5-megawatt geothermal facility in Negros Oriental.

A total of 1,000 food packs were recently handed over to the legislative staff of Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer for Bago City and La Carlota residents and to 3rd district of Negros Occidental Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko for indigent families from the towns & cities of EB Magalona, Talisay, Silay and Victorias City, which 50 sacks of rice were likewise donated to the Diocese of Bacolod City.

“As we continue to provide uninterrupted clean, renewable, reliable power to the country, we will keep on finding ways to uplift our stakeholders in Negros Island to help them beat the health and economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 crisis. This is part of being regenerative, which is what our company and the rest of the Lopez group have committed to be,” emphasized Bautista.

She was referring to their new mission of forging collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future. Their new chosen path calls for the entire conglomerate to uplift the state of everything they touch and everyone they partner with.

EDC is the country’s premier renewable energy company and one of the world’s largest geothermal producers.  Its geothermal facilities in Valencia, Negros Oriental has been providing clean, renewable, reliable power 24/7 to Negros Island and other parts of the Visayas region for over 36 years.