LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The host municipalities and barangays of AboitizPower have received more than P6 million in community shares from Hedcor, reinforcing the company’s commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Hedcor, the run-of-river hydropower arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), recently turned over more than P6 million to its host municipalities and barangays in Benguet. These funds are intended to enhance local infrastructure, improve public services, and support livelihood programs that benefit thousands of residents across the province.
With nine run-of-river hydropower facilities operating in Benguet, Hedcor plays a key role not only in supplying clean and renewable energy but also in promoting community well-being through long-term partnerships with local government units. The community shares form part of the Energy Regulation (ER) 1-94 program of the Department of Energy, which mandates energy companies to support host communities.
Through this initiative, Hedcor has contributed to rural electrification, disaster response, educational support, and community-based medical missions — efforts that continue to boost the local economy and improve social services.
The recent turnover of community shares marks another milestone in Hedcor’s partnership with Benguet’s municipalities.
The Municipality of Sablan received over P2 million, while three of its barangays received a combined P1.3 million. According to Mayor Alfredo Dacumos Jr., the funds will be directed toward projects that improve mobility, expand access to markets, and support agricultural development.
“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,” he said.
In La Trinidad, the local government plans to use its community shares to expand rural electrification across 16 barangays, especially in far-flung and mountainous areas that have long struggled with limited access to power.
“Many of our remote communities still live without electricity. This affects children the most, as they are forced to study and live in darkness,” said 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.”
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Tuba plans to use its community shares from Hedcor’s Irisan 1 and Irisan 3 facilities to enhance local water systems, ensuring clean and reliable drinking water for residents. The local government also aims to improve infrastructure in flood-prone areas and strengthen road safety, especially during extreme weather conditions.
These projects reflect the strong collaboration between Hedcor and its host communities.
“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 Hydro Operations general manager Noreen Vicencio.
“By investing in our host communities, Hedcor is not only delivering renewable energy — it is ensuring that sustainability translates into real, long-term progress for the people of Benguet.”
As Hedcor continues to generate clean energy for the country, its unwavering support for Benguet’s rural communities ensures that the benefits of renewable energy are not only felt through power generation but also through meaningful, on-the-ground development.