EDC’s Atty. Allan Barcena (2nd from left) and DENR-FMB’s Atty. Ray Thomas Kabigting (3rd from left) unveil the front cover of the newly published book as (l-r) Maria Nancy Ibuna, EDC corporate relations and communications head; Niño Gibe, EDC head office corporate relations head; Edward Dumrique, DENR-FMB senior forest management specialist; Perpi Tiongson, Lopez Group Foundation Inc. operations head; and book contributor Elysse Bejar look on

FIRST Gen-Energy Development Corporation (EDC) officially launched “Snapshots of Selected Native & Threatened Trees of Bicol Region Philippines,” marking a major milestone in native speciesconservation and climate resilience efforts in the country.

The book is a key output ofthe AFoCO/040/2023 project undertaken in partnership with the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB).

The release also celebrates the 17th year of First Gen EDC’s banner environmental program, BINHI, underscoring the company’s sustained commitment to science-based initiative focused on biodiversity conservation, forest protection, forest landscape restoration and community partnerships across the Philippines.

The launch event was attended by AFoCO executive director Park Chongho and his team who joined virtually from Korea, DENR-FMB assistant director Atty. Ray Thomas Kabigting, representatives from Lopez Group Foundation Inc. and the Alliance of Bacman Farmers Association Inc. Agriculture Cooperative, and book contributors led by Dr. Pat Malabrigo and Adriane Tobias.

In his welcome message, Atty. Allan Barcena, project steering committee chair and First Gen-EDC assistant vice president and corporate support functions head, emphasized how the book builds on the long-standing work of First Gen-EDC’s BINHI program, which has been restoring and conserving native Philippine trees since 2008.

“This publication shares valuable knowledge on threatened and endemic trees, including practical propagation methods that support forest restoration and biodiversity. It strengthens the body of knowledge that underpins our nation’s native species conservation efforts,” said Barcena.

Park lauded “Snapshots of Selected Native & Threatened Trees of Bicol Region Philippines” as an important contribution to sustainable forest management in Asia.

“We commend First Gen EDC for transforming research and fieldwork into a resource that informs, inspires and strengthens conservation.This book provides a baseline for selecting the right species for reforestation—including high-value trees for carbon sequestration—as the Philippines expands its forest carbon credit potential,” he noted.

Niño Gibe, project manager of AFoCO/040/2023 and First Gen-EDC head office corporate relations head, presented an overview of the contents of the book. The publication documents the rediscovery of several rare native tree species found within the Bacon Manito Geothermal Reservation, including propagation protocols developed through the AFoCO/040/2023 project.

“The core goal of this book is to encourage and mainstream the use of Bicol native tree species across the region, all of them are naturally typhoon-resilient and can adapt in environmentally harsh conditions,” Gibe explained.

“Snapshots of Selected Native & Threatened Trees of Bicol Region Philippines” contains an enhanced database of 1,258 Bicol native tree species found within the region—data strengthened by the First Gen EDC BINHI Global Tree Assessment in partnership with the Botanic Gardens Conservation International. The species descriptions include their conservation status, distribution records, phenology and other major characteristics, making it an essential field guide.

The book captures the importance of restoring forests using threatened native tree speciesand celebrates the improvement of the Philippine forest in the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Reservation, which supports the National Greening Program. This combined effort promotes forest-based actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The launch concluded with a message from Kabigting, who emphasized that the book transcends being a mere reference, serving instead as a vital tool for propagation protocols that help prevent species extinction, while inspiring policymakers, conservationists, students, communities and every reader to take an active role in safeguarding the nation’s forests.

Story By Monique Lugartos