AFoCO vice executive director Jin Sunpil (4th from left) and other AFoCO representatives with EDC officials and BINHI team members at the marker that commemorates the establishment of the EDC BINHI and AFoCO Arboretum as well as the EDC BINHI, AFoCO and DENR partnershipEnergy Development Corporation (EDC), together with the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), launched its newest BINHI Arboretum—the 45th in its growing network—at the EDC Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project in Manito, Albay in November 2024.

The launch featured key messages from Lemuel Mendiola, production team head of the EDC Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project; Jin Sunpil, AFoCO vice executive director; forester Ildefonso Quilloy, AFoCO national focal point and chief forest management specialist of DENR Forest Management Bureau (DENRFMB); Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) assistant regional director Atty. Ronnel Sopsop, representing PENRO regional executive director Francisco Milla Jr.; and Ma. Nancy Ibuna, EDC corporate relations and communications head. Guests participated in the ceremonial tree planting after the program, commemorating the establishment of the arboretum.

The collaboration between EDC and AFoCO began in July 2023, marking AFoCO’s first engagement with a privatesector entity in the Philippines and in Asia, in coordination with DENR. This milestone initiative focuses on restoring 100 hectares of disturbed forest using Philippine native threatened tree species within the EDC Bacon-Manito Geothermal Reservation, a vital key biodiversity area.

AFoCO’s Sunpil emphasized the importance of the partnership, thanking EDC for its cooperation and regenerative approach to reforestation.

“On behalf of AFoCO, I extend my deepest appreciation to the Forest Management Bureau, the EDC team and the participating community members for their proactive efforts in making this project a success,” he said. “We hope that this project will inspire other member countries and serve as a model for the region and beyond.”

The launching of the EDC BINHI and AFoCO Arboretum is another significant step in restoring biodiversity and forest ecosystems, serving as a repository of over 20 Philippine threatened and endemic tree species that can be found in the Bicol region and providing an outdoor learning or research laboratory for the whole community.

Ibuna highlighted that the success of the BINHI Arboretum is rooted in the collective efforts of its many partners.

“EDC BINHI cannot do this alone, and we repeatedly extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners in the national and local government, the local community and our BINHI foresters who have made this vision a reality,” she said. “Together, let us nurture this arboretum as we continue to champion regeneration and inspire others to take action for the planet.”

(Story by:Frances Ariola)