Hedcor brings project “Eugene” to hostb’gay

TUBA, BENGUET- Over 30 households of Barangay Tadiangan, in Tuba, Benguet, home of Hedcor’s two run-of-river hydro power plants, undergone basic solid waste management training through ‘Vermiculturing’  to reinforce sustainable waste management in the community.

Mr. Moren Macay, an experienced local vermiculturist who makes a living through the production of organic fertilizers, enlightened residents of the use of worms to convert organic solid wastes into nutrient-rich soil called vermi-casts.

Vermiculturing uses particular specie of worm, the African Nightcrawlers or ‘Eugene’, short for Eudriluseuginiae, to produce compost out of rotting materials that can be used as fertilizers. This African Nightcrawler works faster than other specie eating a kilo of biodegradables a day. Aside from that, it can thrive in a wide range of environment with a high reproductive rate.

With the training, Hedcor wishes to equip the residents with basic skills and knowledge to be able to successfully create a home-based vermicomposting system. Not only will it help households to manage domestic wastes but it will also provide livelihood opportunities to interested growers.

 “We are glad that the company has this initiative. This is a great opportunity for us to learn ways in managing household wastes,” says Barangay Tadiangan Chairman Steward Batuna .

At the end of the seminar, the company provided free vermi worms to the attendees to start their own composting project in their backyards.

 Promoting sustainable practice, Hedcor enforces to its host communities the importance of proper waste management as a contributing factor in saving the environment. Other host communities where vermicomposting seminars were held are Barangays Ampusongan in Bakun and Bineng in La Trinidad.

Hedcor constructed its own vermi- composting facility to manage its biodegradable wastes in its base in Beckel, La Trinidad. Starting from its first wave of operation in 2011 to present, the company was able to harvest a total of 4, 044.60 kgs. ofvermi cast and vermi compost. The compost harvested were used for the nursery and landscape of Hedcor offices.

Barangay Tadiangan, Tuba hosts Hedcor’s 5MW Irisan 1 and 3 hydro power plants. Hedcor, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power developing and operating 21 run-of-river hydro-power plants in Benguet, Davao and Ilocos Sur with a total capacity of 170 MWs. It is currently constructing the 14MW Sabangan Hydropower Plant in Mountain Province.

             Meeting the Eugenes.Tadiangan residents eagerly listen to Mr. Macay as he demonstrates the right way of putting up their own vermi beds to house the vermi worms they received from Hedcor.