Ahunan Power Inc. is investing PHP80 million into a long term plan to safeguard certain watersheds in Pakil, Laguna, while also pushing ahead with one of the country’s biggest renewable energy projects.

The project, titled the Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP), focuses specifically on the Pakil River and the Malaking Ilog-Tibag watersheds. These areas have been prone to flooding, landslides, and soil erosion. The plan, turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, sets out a mix of environmental and community development measures to address these risks.

According to Ahunan, the IWMP was shaped through months of consultations with stakeholders, local government units, and DENR officials. Surveys and community mapping were also done. Implementation will involve close coordination with the DENR, the Laguna Lake Development Authority, and the municipal governments of Pakil and Paete.

Key parts of the plan include agroforestry, reforestation efforts, the creation of plant nurseries as well as an arboretum, and broader watershed protection measures. These efforts will be accompanied with education and information campaigns aimed at encouraging local participation in caring for these areas.

 “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.

The conservation program is linked to the Pakil Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Project, a 1,400-megawatt facility scheduled to begin operations by 2030. Once online, the project is suspected to supply 2.3 million households, displace 3.1 million tons of coal each year, and contribute to the Philippines broader goal of a 50% renewable energy share by 2040.

The Department of Energy has certified the project as an Energy Project of National Significance, while the Department of Trade and Industry and the Board of Investments have endorsed it under the Green Lane program to fast-track its development.

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