DENR cites FDC Misamis’ carbon capture project
Aerial view of FDC Misamis Power Corporation’s 140-hectare carbon sink project in Barangay Sambulawan, El Salvador City Misamis Oriental. Photo courtesy of DENR-EMB 10
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau in Region 10 (DENR-EMB 10) on Thursday cited the forest management and reforestation programs of FDC Misamis Power Corporation (FDC Misamis) to capture carbon emissions and maintain air quality in Misamis Oriental.
Established in 2018 in partnership with DENR-EMB 10 and Barangay Sambulawan in El Salvador City, FDC Misamis’ Carbon Sink Management Program (CSMP) covers 140 hectares of forest lands. So far, over 80 hectares have been planted with indigenous tree species like An-an, Tipolo, Maribojoc, Bangkal, Acacia, Alim (Alum), Magtangali, Rattan, and Kalikoy, among others. Meanwhile, an additional 40 hectares were populated with Mangium and Bagras species.
Through its first major carbon sink project, the power firm was able to establish a man-made forest that helps sequester carbon emissions to maintain air quality in the province.
After a recent site inspection, DENR officials said FDC Misamis’ project is “a show window of a successful carbon sink for coal-fired power plants in the Region.”
In particular, DENR recognized the company for the suitability of its CSMP area, management and supervision scheme of existing forested areas, and planted species’ highly adaptive characteristics.
The management of FDC Misamis expressed gratitude for the recognition.
“It is encouraging to know that DENR-EMB 10 sees our efforts, which is more than for compliance purposes. This project, along with many other social development programs, is our way of giving back to Mindanao. It is consistent with Filinvest’s desire to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos,” FDC Misamis President and CEO Juan Eugenio L. Roxas said.
“The disruption brought by the COVID-19 pandemic may have given the planet some breathing space, temporarily improving air quality worldwide. But as we move forward in the post-covid era, environmental stewardship must be prioritized to truly mitigate greenhouse gas emissions,” he added.
FDC Misamis is a subsidiary of FDC Utilities, Inc., the Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corporation’s utilities and power arm. It operates a 3×135-MW circulating fluidized bed coal thermal plant in Villanueva town, one of Northern Mindanao’s biggest. Since its commercial operations in 2016, the facility has been supplying stable and cost-effective power. The company plays a vital role in ensuring the stability of the Mindanao grid throughout the pandemic.
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