Hedcor, the run-of-river hydropower arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), turned over more than P6-million in community shares to its host municipalities and barangays in Benguet, which are expected to help improve local infrastructure, enhance public services, and support livelihood programs.
Broken down, the Municipality of Sablan received over P2-million, while three of its barangays received a combined P1.3 million. Meanwhile, the Municipality of La Trinidad, together with three of its barangays, also received a total of P1.3 million. Rounding out the rest are community shares to the Municipalities of Tuba and Itogon, and the Province of Benguet. These represent the actual shares from the generation of Hedcor’s hydro power plants for the full year 2024.
Part of the Energy Regulation (ER) 1-94 program of the Department of Energy, community shares are funds received by host communities accounting for one centavo for every kilowatt-hour (P0.01/kWh) generated by a residing power plant. Over the years, the community shares from Hedcor have contributed to rural electrification, disaster response, educational support, and community-based medical missions.
“As the fruit basket of Benguet, our priority is agriculture. We aim to establish Sablan as a recognized agricultural hub. These funds will directly support our farmers and help ensure food security for our community,” said Sablan Mayor Alfredo Dacumos Jr., noting their need for improved mobility, expanded access to markets, and support for agricultural development.
In La Trinidad, the local government plans to use its community shares to expand rural electrification across 16 barangays, focusing on far-flung and mountainous areas that have long struggled with little to no access to electricity.
“Many of our remote communities still live without electricity. This affects children the most, as they are forced to study and live in darkness,” explained La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda. “With Hedcor’s support, we’re powering up these barangays and national highway communities.”
“A portion of the funds will also go to scholarship programs for underprivileged youth who cannot afford to attend school,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Tuba intends to allocate its community shares to enhance local water systems, ensuring access to clean and reliable drinking water for its residents. The local government also plans to implement infrastructure improvements that address flood-prone areas and strengthen road safety, particularly during extreme weather events.
“These community shares do more than just provide financial support. They directly impact thousands of lives, strengthening local economies, improving public services, and helping communities become more resilient,” said Noreen Vicencio, Hedcor’s General Manager for Hydro Operations. “By investing in our host communities, Hedcor is not only delivering renewable energy, it is also ensuring that sustainability translates into real, long-term progress for the people of Benguet.”
Hedcor operates 22 run-of-river hydropower facilities and multiple solar power plants across the Philippines, nine of which are located in Benguet. Companies within the Hedcor Group are wholly-owned subsidiaries of AboitizPower through Aboitiz Renewables, Inc.
