The La Trinidad Indigenous Peoples Organization (LTIPO) expressed its continued support for Hedcor Group’s 4.5-megawatt Bineng 3 Hydroelectric Power Plant during the signing of the Free and Prior Informed Consent-Memorandum of Agreement (FPIC MOA).
The agreement serves as a recognition of the company’s contribution to sustainable development within ancestral domains.
Hedcor, AboitizPower’s renewable energy asset manager, has operated the plant for more than 25 years as part of its portfolio of run-of-river hydro and solar power assets. With the IP communities’ consent, the company will continue to manage Bineng 3 and contribute to the community’s development for another 25 years.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) played a crucial role in facilitating the process, as outlined in the 2012 Guidelines on Free and Prior Informed Consent.
Moreover, the NCIP will guide the IP communities in formulating Community Royalty Development Plans and monitor Hedcor’s commitments, ensuring the growth and sustainability of ancestral domains while improving the lives of Indigenous Peoples.
“With Hedcor’s dialogue-driven approach, we see an opportunity to develop our ancestral domain, which will empower us, the IPs, to improve our living conditions and preserve our cultural heritage and identity to pass on to the next generations,” said Marcelo Abela, La Trinidad’s first Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) and one of the elders in Barangay Alapang, La Trinidad, Benguet.
He stressed that the partnership would achieve mutual environmental, economic and cultural sustainability goals, illustrating how inclusivity and community engagement can create lasting impacts.
“For the Ibaloy, Kankanaey, and other IPs in the Cordillera, Hedcor’s project represents hope for a more sustainable and prosperous future in their ancestral lands,” Abela said.
Hedcor in La Trinidad implements various community development projects―from medical and dental missions to livelihood assistance and education programs―all focused on improving the well-being of local residents.
Margarita Batokil, a local resident from Barangay Bineng, recalled how Hedcor’s social services have improved their living conditions.
“We have been benefiting from the partnership because it helps with our health services, dental missions, and provides free medicine. There are children who can now go to school, receive scholarships, and finish their education. Our livelihoods have improved, adding income for us, the host communities, and beneficiaries,” she said.
Another community member, Maria Sudaypan, noted the previous lack of work opportunities. “Before, it was difficult; there were no jobs. Now, with Hedcor’s help, we are receiving much-needed support. At first, we didn’t fully understand what could be offered, but after discussions and consultations between the community and them, we gradually began to see the benefits,” she said.
Sudaypan said the partnership paved the way for their children to reach their full potential through scholarship grants and access to job opportunities.
