Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) has expanded its reforestation footprint in Western Visayas, committing fresh funding to a second phase of the Handumanan Reforestation and Carbon Sink Project in Lambunao, Iloilo.

MGEN, through its thermal subsidiary Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC), on January 27 formalized partnerships with West Visayas State University (WVSU) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to roll out Phase II of the Handumanan project, building on a program that has been running in the area since 2009.

The new phase will rehabilitate an additional 80 hectares in Lambunao through the planting of 153,660 endemic, indigenous, and agroforestry trees over the next four years. MGEN said it has allocated Php 10 million for project implementation and monitoring, with expected outcomes including increased forest cover, carbon sequestration, biodiversity restoration, and livelihood opportunities for nearby communities.

Phase II follows the initial Handumanan effort, which planted more than 522,000 trees across about 150 hectares. Taken together with other initiatives, MGEN Thermal Panay has planted 845,726 trees and mangroves over 256.62 hectares since 2009, according to the company.

The Handumanan project is part of One Meralco’s One for Trees Program, which targets the planting of five million trees nationwide by 2030. For MGEN, the initiative sits alongside its broader portfolio that includes coal, diesel, gas, and renewable energy assets, as power generators increasingly balance energy security requirements with environmental and climate commitments.

At the signing of the memorandum of agreement, MGEN Thermal President and CEO Felino M. Bernardo said: “Every tree we plant is a promise—a promise of cleaner air, richer biodiversity, and a healthier planet. Together, we are not just building forests; we are building hope. Powering a better tomorrow starts here, and it starts with us.”

PEDC operates a 278.4-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City that supplies electricity to Panay Island and parts of the Visayas, while sister company Panay Power Corporation runs diesel plants in Aklan. MGEN’s overall generation portfolio totals 5,069.7 MW of net sellable capacity as of January 2026, spanning traditional and renewable sources.

What do you think this development means for the role of power generators in reforestation and carbon mitigation in the Philippines? Join the discussion.

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This article was originally prepared for January 27, 2026 and published later due to temporary site downtime.