Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), through its thermal unit Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC), has officially launched the Bucari Reforestation and Carbon Sink Project, a landmark initiative aimed at restoring over 225 hectares of forest in the Municipality of Leon, Iloilo.

The project will plant more than 340,000 seedlings in Barangays Bucari, Cagay, and Danao over six years, from 2025 to 2030. The effort represents a partnership between MGEN, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VI, the local government of Leon, and the Bucari Eco-Planters Association (BEPA).

“We are pleased to partner with DENR, LGU-Leon, and BEPA in this vital effort to restore and preserve the natural beauty of Bucari,” MGEN Thermal President and CEO Felino M. Bernardo said in a statement. “This project not only aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship but also supports the economic development of the local community.”

BEPA will spearhead the on-the-ground implementation, while DENR and LGU-Leon provide technical support and monitoring to ensure the initiative’s long-term success. The project complements PEDC’s Environmental and Social Performance Management Plan (EPRMP), fulfills conditions of its Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC), and forms part of MGEN’s broader One for Trees program under the One Meralco Sustainability Agenda.

With a total investment of PHP 18.5 million, the initiative is expected to enhance biodiversity, boost carbon sequestration, and benefit the livelihoods of surrounding communities. 

“This reforestation effort is a crucial step toward a greener, more sustainable future, aligning with MGEN’s mission to Power a Better Future,” Bernardo said.

PEDC operates a 278.4 MW coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City using circulating fluidized bed technology, supplying power across Panay Island and select Visayas areas. MGEN, through its diversified portfolio, operates traditional and renewable energy assets with a combined net sellable capacity of 5,079.2 MW as of October 2025.

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Originally scheduled for December 15, 2025; published today due to temporary site downtime