Energy Development Corporation (EDC) reaffirmed its commitment to going beyond sustainability and championing regeneration through its environmental banner program, BINHI, in celebration of Philippine Environment Month.
BINHI brought together employees, partners and communities across its renewable energy sites for a series of tree-growing activities, environmental education sessions and conservation initiatives, highlighting the power of collective action in protecting and restoring nature.
Guided by the theme “Safeguarding Biodiversity for a Sustainable 50th and Beyond,” BINHI’s efforts align with the Lopez Group’s own call to action: “Kapamilya Para sa Kapaligiran.” Together, these two banners reflect EDC’s evolving role not just as a clean energy provider but as a regenerative force that creates long-term positive value for people and the planet.
Now in its 17th year, BINHI remains one of the largest private-sector-led forest restoration programs in the country.
What started as a forest protection initiative has evolved into a national movement grounded in science, collaboration and purpose. It is central to EDC’s environmental mission to rescue and propagate more than 145 priority threatened native tree species, restore critical forest habitats and promote biodiversity conservation in every area where the company operates.
BINHI conducted these activities across EDC sites in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Lopez Group festival
At the EDC head office in Rockwell Business Center Ortigas, the BINHI team took part in the 2025 Environment Month Festival of the Lopez Group.
The event featured talks from corporate relations department head Niño Gibe, who shared the story of the endangered Philippine teak, and watershed management officer Abegail Gatdula, who introduced EDC’s Flagship Species Initiative.
Guests were treated to special previews of Knowledge Channel’s “Wow” episodes on Diwa the Apo myna and Laya the Visayan tarictic hornbill, which highlighted EDC’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about Philippine biodiversity.
In Ilocos Norte, a two-day nursery management seminar was hosted with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGIN-ENRO) for 30 barangay ranger officers.
On Arbor Day, 70 trees were planted in partnership with the Philippine Marines, the local government unit (LGU) of Burgos, ENRO and the community.
The site’s celebration culminated with the Ecolympics Provincial Wildlife Quiz Bowl, a collaboration by EDC Burgos, PGIN-ENRO and the Department of Education (DepEd) to recognize wildlife protection and environmental conservation with 12 participating schools; and Kantalikasan, a competition for environmental advocacy through music composition.
In her welcome remarks, Deborah Melchor of EDC emphasized the importance of investing in environmental education: “At EDC, we believe that the fight for the environment must go beyond the boundaries of the corporate world.
It must be rooted in education, community engagement and the empowerment of young people—our future stewards of the Earth.
We do not just hold competitions—we create a space where the youth can shine as champions of the environment.”
Role of businesses
In Lobo, Batangas, BINHI partnered with First Philec for an environmental learning session as well as their second tree-growing activity focused on protecting the endangered Philippine teak.
climate commitment, a total of 1,000 trees were planted. Prior to the activity, BINHI experts held a talk on the importance of biodiversity and forests, while First Philec highlighted their “Greenergy in Action.”
These engagements reinforced the importance of nurturing the environment and the role businesses play in sustaining it.
A strategic aspect of this collaboration extended to First Philec’s suppliers—Essex, Task Jhets Enterprise and Cherimel.
“By involving them in the activity, we aim to build stronger partnerships rooted in shared environmental values and promote collective action for sustainability,” said Angelica Videña, First Philec environmental, social and governance (ESG) lead. She underscored the collaboration’s role in aligning ESG goals, fostering cooperation and inspiring continued participation in environmental initiatives, including supplier pledges for seedling support.
In Bicol, recent activities underscored the ongoing collaboration between EDC, government agencies and local communities to advance forest restoration efforts.
A monitoring visit was conducted at the EDC-Asian Forest Cooperation Organization project site, attended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Forest Management Bureau assistant director Ray Thomas Kabigting to assess the progress of a 100-hectare forest restoration and a two-hectare arboretum within the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project, which is now in its second year. These areas feature threatened native and endemic Philippine species, including mapilig, Bacman’s flagship flora species.
Double celebration
EDC also participated in the “Bike.Hike.Plant” activity held in conjunction with the double celebration of the Philippine Forestry Service anniversary and Arbor Day to highlight the beauty and importance of Philippine forests.
In Leyte, training sessions on forest nursery management, biodiversity and environmental law enforcement were held for forest rangers and field personnel in partnership with the DENR and LGUs. At Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park, 45 barangay forest protection officers, Landscape and Wildlife Indicator or LAWIN patrollers and protected area rangers were trained on sustainable forest management and environmental laws.
EDC forester Ronelmar Aguilar shared field-tested strategies in forest protection and community engagement.
One hundred native seedlings, including toog, narra, white lauan and yakal saplungan, were planted at the Tongonan site, with over 70 Lopez Group employees and stakeholders taking part. Employees and representatives from First Balfour joined EDC’s “Out in the Wild” activity to explore the geothermal reservation’s biodiversity and learn more about ongoing conservation efforts at project sites. EDC also conducted the first-ever Provincial Wildlife Quiz Bee, with participants from 24 schools, to raise awareness of local biodiversity.
Growing sanctuary
In Negros, 200 native tree seedlings were planted in partnership with Mailum Minoyan United Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative and DENR-CENRO Bago.
Meanwhile, Silliman University’s arboretum in Valencia welcomed 300 more trees to its growing sanctuary.
These allowed an expanded forest restoration effort and promoted protection of threatened native species through multi-stakeholder partnerships.
In Kidapawan, North Cotabato, 250 Philippine native trees were planted in celebration of World Environment Day on June 5. These included the Mt. Apo-endemic kapingin and malatambis. LGUs, DENR offices and indigenous leaders joined EDC teams to support reforestation and honor traditional ecological knowledge.
EDC Mt. Apo conducted “Out in the Wild” featuring bird-watching, canopy walking and tree-planting activities.
EDC’s monthlong celebration resulted in the planting of 2,170 Philippine native trees, engagement with 28 stakeholders, participation of 36 schools and the training of 75 barangay ranger/forest protection officers.
Through these activities, EDC continues to demonstrate the true essence of a regenerative enterprise, revitalizing the natural and social systems it interacts with.
Beyond restoring forests and protecting biodiversity, its BINHI program strengthens community ties and empowers inclusive, long-term environmental stewardship.
(Story by: Monique Lugartos)
