SN Aboitiz Power’s host communities’ forums (HCF) for Benguet, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, and Ifugao were held virtually on November 16, November 24, and December 1, respectively, to update its community-based stakeholders on the company’s operations and CSR initiatives.
Renewable energy solutions provider SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Group reaffirmed its commitment to bringing about positive change during its annual host communities’ forum, and reinforced the importance of leadership with the theme “Leading with Positive Energy: REbuilding our Shared Future.”
The host communities’ forum is an annual event held by SNAP to update its community-based stakeholders on the company’s operations and initiatives, and facilitate their participation in improving its CSR program. For the second year in a row, the forum took place online on November 16 for Benguet, November 24 for Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, and December 1 for Ifugao, following COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations, as well as provincial and municipal government officials, attended the series of virtual forums, led by Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog, Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla, Provincial Information Officer Atty. Elizabeth Binag from the Governor’s office of Isabela, and Executive Assistant II Claire Prudencio from the Benguet Governor’s office.
In his keynote address, SNAP President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Yu talked about constructive partnership and a future built on sustainability, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the context of promoting growth and progress. “It is important that we collaborate effectively, foster trust, offer mutual support, craft programs together, and perhaps, even hold each other accountable to our common purpose of community development.”
In 2021, SNAP provided nearly PhP11.9 million in CSR funds to its host communities, covering COVID-related projects. Since 2007, the company has supported 950 community-initiated projects covering environment, education, livelihood, infrastructure, indigenous culture, and health and safety worth PhP 472.8 million.
In addition to its CSR program, SNAP has also remitted PhP30 million in 2021 as part of the Department of Energy’s ER 1-94 program. The ER 1-94 program, which provides host communities of power generating facilities with a one-centavo share for every kilowatt-hour (PhP0.01/kWh) of total electricity sales, normally covers projects for electrification, livelihood, health, reforestation, watershed management, and other environmental initiatives. In March 2020, the DOE issued a circular authorizing the use of the program funds for COVID-related projects. SNAP’s host communities have utilized the fund for emergency assistance, vehicles, quarantine facilities, relief or food supplies, and other health and COVID-related needs.
A highlight of the forum was a motivational speech by Vincent “Chot” Reyes, business executive, coach of the Gilas Pilipinas basketball team, and leadership coach, who delivered a talk on leadership in the face of adversity. He spoke about the importance of positive leadership, teamwork, and resilience in difficult times. “We can’t predict the future, but we can prepare for it,” he said, adding that “it is not the team that makes the purpose, it’s the purpose that makes the team.”
In his closing remarks at the Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya leg of the forum, Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla said, “It is our fervent hope that our partnership shall endure, and I’m optimistic that we will overcome all the odds and challenges brought about by the pandemic.”
Atty. Elizabeth Binag relayed Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III’s message, noting SNAP’s assistance to the province in providing immediate response to the province’s health crisis and citing the company as a partner they can always rely on.