Hedcor gives P7.9M to host LGUs in Northern Luzon

By Estefany Mae Tawagon

Hedcor, Aboitiz Power’s run-of-river hydropower subsidiary, on its commitment to power Benguet, Mt. Province and Ilocos Sur with Cleanergy, remitted P7.9M to these local government units from the Energy Regulations 1-94 (ER1-94) fund. 

“In accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, host LGUs can maximize ER 1-94 shares in mitigating the repercussions brought by the pandemic,” says Andy Faelnar, AVP of Hedcor Group. 

Faelnar said ER 1-94 funds will be used for electrification, development, livelihood programs, reforestation, watershed management, health, and environmental enhancement programs.

But with the Bayanihan Act, host LGUs can also opt to use funding for the construction of COVID-19 facilities and procurement of medical testing kits and supplies to name a few. 

The revised provision of the ER 1-94 now allows direct remittance of ER funds from the Hedcor Group to its host communities.

This revision streamlines the implementation of the ER 1-94, which grants host communities one centavo for every kilowatt-hour generated by Hedcor. 

Hedcor is currently downloading the remaining P670k which will bring the total remittance to its host LGUs to P8.63M. 

On the other hand, Hedcor Group remittances before 2018 that are with DOE are also being downloaded by the agency to the LGUs.

More than the streamlining of processes, Hedcor’s direct involvement in the actualization of projects further emphasizes the strong sense of partnership between Hedcor and its host communities.

A Hedcor press statement said the power firm “recognizes that in this trying times of uncertainty and fear, we are stronger together.”

In support of the government’s efforts to flatten the COVID-19 curve, Hedcor donated P1 million worth of relief food packs and medical supplies to its host communities and frontliners. 

Hedcor operates 11 hydropower facilities in Luzon with a total installed capacity of 142 MW of Cleanergy, its brand for clean and renewable energy.