IN partnership with the locals of barangays Guilang-guilang and Santiago in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Hedcor is set to plant 10,000 trees as part of its watershed management plan for 2021. Since the beginning of the Manolo Fortich Hydros’ construction six years ago, Hedcor has regularly collaborated with these reforestation partners to ensure that the organization’s efforts are well-monitored and maintained. These local reforestation partners, who are also members of the Higaonon and Bukidnon tribe, have been recommended by the Community Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Manolo Fortich. “Aside from planting the trees, reforestation partners are also tapped by Hedcor to manage and maintain newly-reforested areas,” explained Daryl Diestro, Hedcor’s Environment Management Specialist. “The seedlings will be monitored closely by our reforestation partners for the next three years to assure high survival.” The seedlings are to be planted in a reforestation area in barangay Guilang-guilang in order to rehabilitate denuded areas. This is also to protect open forests by planting seedlings that are endemic to the area. Since the place is also an identified catchment area for bodies of water that Hedcor is permitted to utilize for its hydro facilities, reforestation is also strategic for its renewable energy generation. In addition to this reforestation initiative, Hedcor is also targeting to plant 25,000 seedlings in Davao del Sur and another 10,000 seedlings in Davao City. In this pandemic, Hedcor was able to stay committed to its environmental initiatives through the help of its partners. Last 2020, Hedcor was able to plant a total of 60,000 trees across the country--many of which are led by reforestation partners. This adds up to the 3.1 million trees planted by Hedcor since the early 200os, with a survival rate of 89% as verified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CENRO. In operating one of its largest hydro facilities in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Hedcor has truly found a partner in its locals when it comes to materializing the greater goal of protecting the environment. (PR)