Ahunan Power’s community program powers socio-economic growth in Laguna

Ahunan Power Inc.’s Tayo Na Pakil community development program is proving to be a significant driver of socio-economic activity in Pakil, Laguna – reinforcing the company’s role not only in renewable energy development but also in inclusive local growth, three years after its launch. 

Ahunan Power, a subsidiary of Enrique Razon Jr.’s Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra), is developing a 1,400-megawatt pumped storage hydro project in the town. The company implements Tayo Na Pakil in partnership with Prime Infra Foundation, its corporate social responsibility arm.

The initiative, launched in 2022, has since delivered projects in education, skills development, livelihood generation, health and wellness, cultural preservation, and climate resilience – aligning with 13 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“You (Ahunan Power and Prime Infra Foundation) have always considered the future of the youth by providing the Youth Leadership Program for our students, as well as knowledge about climate change and adaptation. These have become a significant part of the students’ development,” said Leah Mendiola, a teacher at Pakil Senior High School, crediting the program for school improvements including a new canteen and ICT room repairs.

Since its inception, Tayo Na Pakil has reached thousands of residents, providing health and resilience assistance to more than 3,000 community members, supporting 60 technical-vocational scholars, and rolling out school-based programs for over 7,000 students. Nearly 100 residents have also completed livelihood training and received start-up capital.

One flagship livelihood program, PAKILight, trains women entrepreneurs in candle and paper bag production while equipping them with sustainable business skills. In 2022, over 70 women graduated from the training, leading to the formation of Tanglaw Women of Pakil, a micro-enterprise that now serves as a source of income for local families.

“Thank you for giving us this opportunity. We mothers are grateful that you paid attention to us and taught us skills so we can help our families,” said participant Lea Carizo.

Another key initiative, the PAKILigtas Disaster Management Program, strengthens household and school-level disaster preparedness through training on climate change, emergency response, and distribution of “Go Bags” with essential supplies.

Other interventions include medical missions, feeding programs, eye wellness campaigns, waste management seminars, financial literacy sessions, and technical-vocational training in partnership with TESDA.

Ahunan Power said that beyond its role in developing clean energy, Tayo Na Pakil serves as an investment in human capital that will contribute to the municipality’s long-term growth.

“We have always sought to create a socially inclusive environment for our host communities. The strong support of our provincial stakeholders has been vital to ensuring the program’s effective implementation,” the company said in a statement.