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GoodPage Weekly, Cogon, Ormoc City (2026)

14/03/2026

OLTC ELECTS NEW OFFICERS

Cooperative Development Officer Romeo de la Cruz of the Ormoc City Cooperative Development Office administers the oath to 24 newly-elected officers of the Ormoc Liner Transport Cooperative (OLTC).

The oath-taking capped the election of the chairman and the vice chairman of the board of directors, March 14, at the coop's offices on Villa Theresa Subdivision, San Isidro, Ormoc City.

Incumbent chairman Ceasar Gonato got the nod of all the voting members to retain leadership. Elected as vice chairman was Jovenal Suazo.

The other members who were elected to the board are Niña Jessa Jumao-as, Christena Suazo, and Eduardo Edol.

Incumbents Sherey Sedano, and Divina Salas were re-appointed as secretary and treasurer, respectively.

IN BOTTOM PHOTO, SEATED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Divina Salas (Treasurer), Romeo de la Cruz (Cooperative Development Officer administering the oath of office); Niña Jessa Condeza (BOD member); Jovenal Suazo (Vice Chairman); Ceasar Gonato (Chairman); Christena Suazo (BOD Member); Eduardo Edol (BOD Member); Sherey Sedano (Secretary).

Photos courtesy of Christena Suazo.

08/03/2026

ORMOC LINER TRANSPORT COOPERATIVE (OLTC) holds its 8th General Assembly Meeting.

March 8, 2026. Pare's Lechon, Mejia, Ormoc City.

OLTC has a 60-member roster and is an exclusive transport services provider of renewable energy-geothermal giant, Energy Develoment Corporation-- now under the First Gen Renewables group.

Founded in 2018 with just five vehicles in its garage, OLTC started on an on-call basis engagement with EDC's Leyte geothermal facilities. The fleet has grown to more than 100 units-- SUVs, commuter vans, pick-ups-- in a span of 8 years.

OLTC employs over 100 drivers, office staff and support workers. Its main offices and garage are located in Villa Theresa Subdivision, Brgy. San Isidro (Owak), Ormoc City.

OLTC is also an accredited member of the Civil Society Organization of the Ormoc City local government unit. (Photo by Christena A. Suazo)

07/03/2026

First Gen marks 50 years of EDC, launches unified brand

First Gen Corporation (First Gen) marked a milestone in the country’s renewable energy journey, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its subsidiary, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the largest vertically integrated geothermal producer in the world.

This year also marks five decades of geothermal energy development in the Philippines, which to date is the only renewable source that can run baseload capacity.

“From the very beginning, the mandate of EDC was clear: harness indigenous resources and develop homegrown power supply that will make the country’s energy grid resilient and secure,” said First Gen Chairman Federico Lopez.

EDC was created as a state-owned corporation on March 5, 1976, by virtue of Presidential Decree 927. It aimed to develop geothermal power and reduce the country’s dependence on imported oil. By the mid-1980s, the Philippines became a global leader in geothermal energy.

In 2007, EDC was privatized by the government and became a subsidiary of First Gen.

“EDC has been integral to First Gen’s credibility as a clean energy leader and we are proud of this landmark in our country’s renewable energy journey,” added Lopez.

EDC folds into a unified First Gen brand

On this landmark occasion, First Gen unveiled its unified corporate brand to reinforce its leadership in RE development and align with changing needs of the energy market.

The new First Gen Group brand unifies its power generation, supply, and solutions portfolio, placing its renewable energy assets at the center.

“This step is about clarity for our employees, partners, customers, and the communities we serve about who we are, what we stand for, and how we work together,” said First Gen President Giles Puno, “It reinforces how we actually operated -– integrated, disciplined, and focused on delivering reliable solutions grounded on operating realities because we are committed to being a trusted energy partner.”

Under the First Gen Group brand, all power generating assets -– which include 28 solar, wind, hydro and geothermal facilities — are now housed under “First Gen Renewables.”

Meanwhile, “First Gen Energy Supply” matches the group’s power generation assets with the evolving needs and preferences of direct supply partners, wholesale supply customers, and purchases at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

Behind-the-meter systems that help optimize power consumption and meet sustainability goals are housed under “First Gen Energy Solutions.” This arsenal of solutions includes on-site solar facilities and tools such as energy audits and remote energy monitoring.

“Expectations placed on energy companies are changing. Customers are no longer asking only where power comes from, but whether they can depend on it, is it affordable, and does it support their long-term transition goals. Meeting these expectations requires more than high-performing assets–it requires us to blur the lines across the organization so that decisions are guided by customer needs and we can respond more instinctively and immediately,” Puno added.

The First Gen Group unified branding, which includes harmonized naming conventions and visual identity, is currently being rolled out to its internal and external stakeholders.

***

About First Gen Corporation

First Gen is the leading provider of renewable energy (RE) in the Philippines with over 1,700 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity from a fleet of 28 geothermal, hydro, wind and solar facilities nationwide. To offset the intermittence of RE and help ensure energy supply and security, First Gen has a 40% interest in four gas-fired power plants with a total capacity of 2,017 MW, in partnership with majority owner Prime Infrastructure Capital, Inc.

Helping customers decarbonize their energy demand and consumption, First Gen partners directly with customers with a combination of RE supply and an arsenal of solutions such as energy audits and monitoring systems.

A subsidiary of Lopez-led First Philippine Holdings Corporation, one of the oldest and most diversified conglomerates in the Philippines, First Gen aims to grow its RE portfolio by 9,000 MW by 2030, with ongoing RE development projects across the Philippines and Indonesia.

About the First Gen unified brand

From the existing corporate brand which captured the purpose of First Gen to be a leader in the country’s energy transition towards a decarbonized energy grid, the new unified brand captures the reinvigorated purpose to truly collaborate and forge partnerships towards a decarbonized and regenerative future and not just be a supplier of renewable energy.

The unified First Gen brand puts together one of the most diverse fleet of renewable energy technologies in the country and combines this with an arsenal of solutions meant to help businesses and other stakeholders take the appropriate steps in their respective clean energy journeys.

The refreshed corporate logo retains the infinite loop which symbolizes regeneration, while the colors reflect the evolving and improving renewable energy technologies, and the ambition to green the power grid.

The First Gen unified brand includes sub-brands to differentiate its business lines:

First Gen Renewables houses the company’s fleet of generation facilities that harness power from wind, solar, hydro and geothermal.

First Gen Energy Supply matches the group’s power generation assets with the needs of customers to meet demand and sustainability goals. These include open access or direct partners and wholesale supply customers, as well as purchases at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and ancillary services.

First Gen Energy Solutions houses the group’s arsenal of solutions to help customers make sense of their electricity needs and consumption, as well as behind-the-meter technologies such as on-site solar power facilities.

IN PHOTOS:

First Gen logos, introducing the unified branding of the company.

First Gen and EDC executives in a ceremonial toast with guests Sec. Sharon Garin of the Department of Energy (center), and Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez.

25/02/2026

Macquarie gives $A175,000 for Keitech’s vocational education expansion in Leyte

Manila, 23 February 2026–-First Gen-Energy Development Corporation (First Gen-EDC), a portfolio company managed by Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), has been recognised as a winner in the 2025 Macquarie Shared Value Award for its outstanding initiative, the Keitech Educational Foundation Inc. (Keitech).

Established in 2023, the Macquarie Shared Value Award recognises Macquarie teams or assets progressing initiatives that align business success with social impact, creating a positive impact on society while delivering business benefits. Since its inception, the award has granted over 1.3 million Australian dollars to 11 organisations globally.

First Gen-EDC is the Philippines’ largest geothermal energy producer, managing 1.5GW of renewable energy generation capacity across geothermal, solar, hydropower and wind. MAM acquired a majority stake in First Gen-EDC in 2017 and during this time has supported the business as it increases the reliability and resilience of the Philippines’ renewable energy supply.

In 2009, in collaboration with the local government of Kananga in Leyte, First Gen-EDC founded Keitech to help advance social purpose in the surrounding community alongside the growth of the business.

Keitech addresses the critical need for vocational education among underserved high school graduates. Keitech aims to equip these young individuals with the skills and training necessary to thrive in high-demand industries such as construction, metals and engineering, and tourism.

By improving access to local employment through technical vocational education, Keitech addresses the high unemployment rates and limited access to higher education in the region.

As one of the three winners of the first round of the 2025 Macquarie Shared Value Award, Keitech will receive a grant of $A175,000. This grant will further support Keitech’s mission to provide high-quality vocational education and training, thereby enhancing the employability of its graduates and fostering sustainable community development.

“We believe that lasting social impact comes from empowering communities to shape their own future. The Keitech Educational Foundation is a powerful example of how business and community can work together to create meaningful change,” said Jasmine Chew, Regional Head of Asia for the Macquarie Group Foundation.

“We’re proud to support Keitech’s mission. Their commitment to providing vocational education is helping underserved communities access new opportunities and build a better future.”

“We are honored to receive the Macquarie Shared Value Award,” said Allan Barcena, Head of Corporate Support Functions, of EDC. “This recognition underscores the impact of our work at Keitech and reaffirms our commitment to empowering the youth of Leyte through education and skills development. The generous grant will enable us to expand our programs and reach more students, ultimately contributing to a brighter future for our community.”

Keitech’s innovative approach to vocational education exemplifies this ethos, demonstrating how strategic partnerships and community-focused projects can drive meaningful change.

14/02/2026

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY(kop)!

FLOWER AND POWER blend together while the romantics rush to the flower shops, in search of bouquets that would make their loved ones happy this Valentine Day.

Resisting the heat of the sun, they came in droves onboard their motorcycles, parked conveniently on the sidewalk right next to Aviles Street in Ormoc City. A few are still wearing crash helmets while haggling with vendors to get good bargains-- and perhaps save a few hundred pesos for tonight's dinner date.

But alas, and alack, the traffic enforcers seem to know the distinction between love and law, quickly rounding up the parked motorcycles, and issuing traffic violation citation tickets.

Maybe the riders, in their eagerness to buy flowers for loved ones, failed to notice the traffic sign right next to their motorcycles.

Love does make one blind, indeed...

13/02/2026

FLOOD CONTROL PALIHUG! Usa ka makahadlok nga tan-awon ang kusog nga pagbul-og sa tubig sa nagbaha nga Layug River sa Mahaplag kagahapon, February 12.

Ang baha hinay hinay nga mikubkob sa yuta ilawom sa usa ka balay, ug sa dihang wala nay nahabilin, gibanlas kini. Ang maong hitabo, milungtad lang sa wala pay usa ka minuto.

Mao ni ang usa sa mapait nga resulta sa kapin duha ka adlaw nga walay hunong nga pag-uwan sa tibuok Eastern Visayas. Tungod kini sa gitawag ug shearline, northeast monsoon o amihan, ug easterlies nga nagdungan paghan-ok sa tubig-uwan dinhing dapita sa Pilipinas.

Video kuha ni Loloy's Laag-Merlindo Empron.

12/02/2026

THE UNRELENTING RAINS THAT HIT LEYTE caused the waters of Layug River in the town of Mahaplag to reach critical level.

A house hangs precariously, tilting towards being washed away, on one of the banks of the mighty river, while the owner could only stare blankly, helpless.

This scene was photographed by Merlindo Empron, a local resident of Sitio Naba, Brgy. Union towards the southern part of the town.
Elsewhere in the country, scenes like this unfold whenever there are dramatic downpours-- and makes everyone miss the funds that were squandered in the ghost flood-control projects.

Mahaplag was last given an allocation by the DILG for the construction of embankments along the Layug River in 2021, for a miniscule amount enough only to cover a few hundred meters to protect the town center.

The town's request for a bigger fund has been on hold since 2018.

09/02/2026

Attempted Arson Incident Reported in Brgy. Salvacion Ormoc City

AT AROUND 3:00 in the morning of today, February 10, an attempted arson incident occurred at a private residence in Brgy. Salvacion, Ormoc City.

Family members were awakened after noticing fire on the roof area of the house. Initial suspicion pointed to a possible electrical fault; however, upon closer inspection, the source was discovered to be an improvised incendiary device composed of two bamboo poles tied together, with a cloth soaked in what appeared to be kerosene, already burning at the time it was discovered.

Prior to the fire being noticed, rustling sounds were heard from one side of the house, suggesting human activity. The roof is high and difficult to access, requiring the use of a ladder, indicating that the act was deliberate and planned.

The fire was immediately extinguished, preventing further damage and possible loss of life. No injuries were reported.

The incident has been documented, and the family is in the process of formally reporting the matter to barangay authorities and the Philippine National Police for proper investigation.

This statement is being released in the interest of public safety, transparency, and to raise awareness regarding acts of violence and intimidation that pose serious risks to families and communities.

The family calls on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and urges the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities in their areas. [Police blotter extract].

05/01/2026

EDC shares forest management program at international event

Baybay City, Leyte – The Philippine Forestry Education Network, Inc. (PFEN), in collaboration with Visayas State University (VSU), recently held its 2nd International Conference and Assembly. The gathering, themed "Building Bridges Towards Responsive, Responsible and Sustainable Forest Landscape Restoration," invited geothermal energy leader, First Gen-owned Energy Development Corporation (EDC), to share its successful initiatives in sustainable forest management.

The event was attended by former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Assistant Secretary Ricardo Calderon, Dean of University of the Philippines Los Baños - College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR); current PFEN President Prof. Marlo Mendoza, and Visayas State University President Prose Ivy Yepes.

Plenary sessions featured a diverse group of experts and practitioners from First Gen-EDC, DENR-Forest Management Bureau and Biodiversity Management Bureau, academics from universities across the globe, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Germany, and the Carood Watershed Model Forest Management Council.

Among the presenters was Atty. Allan V. Barcena, EDC Assistant Vice President and Corporate Support Functions Head.

He opened by positioning the Philippines as the world’s third-largest geothermal producer and emphasized that geothermal energy is deeply intertwined with the health of forests and watersheds—making environmental stewardship central to First Gen-EDC’s operations.

He explained how BINHI, the company’s banner environmental program, goes beyond tree planting, implementing a comprehensive and integrated approach aligned with both local and global sustainability frameworks.

Through strategic partnerships with government, local communities, schools, and international conservation networks, BINHI works to restore forest ecosystems and secure habitats of threatened Philippine tree species.

One of the program highlights shared was the Tongonan Upland Roast initiative in partnership with the Tongonan Farmers Association (TOFA), where First Gen-EDC supports the development of biodiversity-friendly enterprises that encourage self-sustaining livelihoods.

Atty. Barcena also discussed the company’s collaboration with local schools and the Department of Education to nurture environmental awareness among students, along with employee and stakeholder engagements like the “Out in the Wild” program, which immerses participants directly in native forest ecosystems.

He further showcased the BINHI Flora Database, the CommuniTree tree-growing platform, publications, and documentaries—all designed to make conservation knowledge more accessible and compelling.

Barcena then tied these tools to the larger goal, emphasizing that shared goals and collective action are essential to meaningful restoration work, directly supporting First Gen-EDC’s mission to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future.

“We need to translate science into stories that matter,” he concluded, emphasizing that conservation efforts must not only be scientifically sound but also relatable, inspiring, and rooted in community participation.

The conference reinforced that building bridges across sectors is essential to confronting our shared environmental future. Efforts like BINHI, which is drawing international recognition, serve as proof that the goal of achieving resilient forest landscapes is realized through sustained collaboration and dedicated restoration.

Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is First Gen Corporation’s 100 percent renewable energy (RE) subsidiary with 1,388.8MW total installed capacity that accounts for 17 percent of the country’s total installed RE capacity.

Its 1,094.80MW geothermal portfolio comprises 56 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity, making the Philippines the third largest geothermal producer in the world.

First Gen is the Philippines’ leading clean energy company. (PR)

IN PHOTO:

Atty. Allan V. Barcena, EDC Assistant Vice President and Corporate Support Functions Head, represented First Gen-EDC and shared insights on how the BINHI program is driving regenerative development.

30/12/2025

ORMOC CITY WET MARKET SCENE. December 30 morning.

23/12/2025

First Gen-EDC remits P31.99M to Leyeco V for ER 1-94 subsidy

[Leyte, Philippines]–First Gen-Energy Development Corporation (First Gen-EDC) turned over ₱31.99 million to the Leyte V Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LEYECO V), reaffirming its support for reliable and sustainable power distribution in the province. The event was held at the LEYECO V Board Room on December 19, 2025.

The remittance forms part of First Gen-EDC’s commitment under the Department of Energy’s ER 1-94 program, which allows host communities and distribution utilities to receive a share of revenues from renewable energy operations.

The program helps strengthen the financial capacity of electric cooperatives, enabling them to improve infrastructure, enhance service delivery, and better serve electricity consumers.

As a beneficiary, LEYECO V will allocate the funds toward operational improvements and system upgrades—initiatives that contribute to more dependable electricity across communities within its franchise area.

The turnover was led by key First Gen-EDC officials, including Engr. Estanislao M. Pialago, Jr., Leyte Site Head and Head of Facility Operations; Engr. Andy T. Durog, Head of Leyte Site Support Shared Services; Ms. Jennifer D. Wenceslao, Head of the Leyte Corporate Relations Department; and with Ma. Sybil C. Villegas, Community Partner.

This milestone underscores First Gen-EDC’s continued partnership with local electric cooperatives and its broader commitment to sustainable energy and community development in Leyte.

Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is First Gen Corporation’s 100% Renewable Energy (RE) subsidiary with close to 1,400MW total installed capacity that accounts for nearly 17% of the country’s total installed RE capacity.

Its over 1,000MW geothermal portfolio comprises approximately 56 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity, making the Philippines the third largest geothermal producer in the world. First Gen is the Philippines’ leading clean energy company. PR

20/12/2025

GREAT MEN. GREAT MINDS. GoodPage Publisher Rene de los Reyes, with motivational speaker Santos "Santi" Getalado ("Dan Agila"), and First Gen-Energy Development Corporation Vice President for Corporate Support Functions Atty. Allan Barcena.

Mr. Getalado is the Assistant School Administrator of KEITECH Educational Foundation, Inc. in Kananga, Leyte.

Atty. Barcena is the President of KEITECH.

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