DENR Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria (center) receives the Integrated Watershed Management Plan submitted by Ahunan Power Inc. as represented by Regulatory Head Miguel Marfil (left) and Compliance and Permits Officer Emma De Fiesta.
Ahunan Power Inc., the developer of a large-scale renewable energy project in Pakil, Laguna, has set aside P80 million for an Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) aimed at conserving forests, protecting watersheds, and improving water management in the area.
The plan, submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria, lays out strategies “to maintain an ecologically resilient, socially inclusive, and sustainably managed” Pakil River Watershed—which forms part of the Pasig-Marikina-Laguna de Bay River Basin—and the Malaking Ilog-Tibag watershed.
Developed through consultations with local stakeholders, DENR provincial officials, and community mapping activities, the IWMP will be carried out in partnership with the DENR, Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and the local governments of Pakil and Paete.
A site assessment revealed that the two subwatersheds are highly vulnerable to rain-induced landslides and soil erosion, while low-lying areas near Laguna de Bay face flooding risks. To address these issues, the plan includes reforestation, agroforestry development, nursery operations, arboretum establishment, and watershed protection measures.
An information and education campaign will also be launched to promote environmental stewardship and awareness on protecting forests, water bodies, and biodiversity.
“Ahunan approaches renewable energy development with a commitment to protect and preserve the vital ecosystems surrounding the Pakil River and Malaking Ilog-Tibag watersheds to ensure a sustainable future for the communities we serve,” the company said.
Ahunan is developing the Pakil Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Project, expected to be among the largest in Asia, with a 1,400-megawatt capacity projected to power 2.3 million households by 2030. The facility is designed to help displace around 3.1 million tons of coal annually and support the government’s goal of achieving a 50-percent renewable energy share in the generation mix by 2040.
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