Cash aid for students, college scholarships and healthcare equipment worth P8 million have been pledged by AboitizPower subsidiaries to the local governments of Agusan del Norte, Davao City, Davao del Sur and Davao de Oro.
Officials from Therma South Inc. (TSI), Therma Marine Inc. (TMI), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Davao City, Nasipit town, Davao de Oro and Davao Sur signed the memorandum of agreements to undertake the disaster preparedness and educational projects.
In the agreement with Inawayan, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, a portion of the amount will fund disaster risk reduction management tools and equipment, as well as training for disaster-related rescue operations. It also covers solar electrification projects for barangay offices in Inawayan and Binugao, Davao City.
Under an agreement with DepEd and Tesda, 20 high school students from Barangay Inawayan and Binugao will receive financial aid worth P7,300 each per year. Another 19 residents will get full college scholarships, inclusive of a P25,000 allowance per semester.
“The impact of this project will be built for years to come, not only for this year but for the next generation. We are proud that our learners from Davao del Sur are part of it,” said DepEd district supervisor of the South of Davao del Sur, Hazel Luna.
Meanwhile, TMI earmarked a total of P4 million to healthcare and outreach projects in its host communities in Maco, Davao de Oro and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
In Maco, TMI Mobile 1 allocated P1.8 million to bolster the Municipal Health Office’s (MHO) physical therapy program by acquiring exercise equipment, as well as advanced electronic devices like rehabilitation robot gloves, neuromuscular electrical stimulation units, and a physiotherapy therapeutic ultrasound device.
“Some of these equipment target specific aspects of physical therapy that are not usually met with the current facilities available at our regional health unit,” explained Maco MHO OIC Liezl Andoy. “With AboitizPower’s donation, our massage therapists may be able to cater to more patients since the treatment of each may be potentially shortened.”
In Nasipit, TMI Mobile 2 allotted P2.2 million in projects for healthcare, livelihood and disaster resilience, which includes the acquisition of a thermocoagulator for Nasipit’s Regional Health Unit. A thermocoagulator is a medical device used to treat human tissue lesions, particularly in cases of cervical cancer.
In her speech, Agusan del Norte Governor Angel Amante commended the positive presence of AboitizPower in the area, citing revitalization of interest from other businesses and industries.
TSI owns and operates the 300-megawatt circulating fluidized bed coal-fired power plant located in Davao City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Meanwhile, TMI owns and operates power barges in Maco, Davao de Oro, and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, with a total installed capacity of 200 megawatts.