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GoodPage Weekly, Cogon, Ormoc City (2025)

12/09/2025

Private Sector Urged to Turn NetZero Pledges into Action
at PH Net Zero Conference 2025

TAGUIG CITY, Philippines – The Philippines stands at a critical economic and climate crossroads, facing an urgent need for sustainable solutions.

With national targets committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, and the Low Carbon Economy Investment Act gaining traction, the opportunity to shape a low-carbon economy is both urgent and within reach.

However, despite this momentum, businesses continue to face significant barriers to operationalizing net zero, including a lack of fit-for-purpose tools, scalable technologies, and accessible finance. The challenge is clear: ambition must translate into action.

To directly address this gap, the Philippine Net Zero Conference 2025, co-delivered by the Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA) and the Southeast Asia Corporate Decarbonization Exchange (CDx), will bring together the country’s business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability champions on September 18, 2025, at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City.

The conference aims to help Philippine companies move from making climate pledges to implementing real, measurable decarbonization strategies.

Achieving net zero emissions offers numerous benefits for both the environment and society. It is essential for mitigating the worst impacts of climatic disasters, helping to limit global warming to 1.5°C, reducing extreme weather events, and securing food supplies and biodiversity.

Transitioning to net zero also presents significant economic growth and job creation opportunities in emerging industries such as renewable energy, green infrastructure, and nature-based projects.

Businesses adopting sustainable practices can also see increased energy security, reduced operational costs, enhanced brand recognition, and attract investment by aligning with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors.

A key driver for this transition is the advancement of the Low Carbon Economy Investment (LCEI) Act. This legislation is crucial for establishing mechanisms that enable the Philippines to leverage economic opportunities during its transition.

House Bill 2184, an example of such a legislative effort, proposes an emission cap-and-trade system where the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary sets annual emission reduction targets and imposes caps on greenhouse gas emissions for covered sectors.

This system issues allowances that can be traded, incentivizing businesses to reduce their emissions. Civil penalties for exceeding allowances would fund a Climate Reinvestment Fund. The conference will feature insights on this, with Congressman Jose Manuel Alba, 1st District Bukidnon Representative and co-author of the LCEI, participating as a panelist and speaker.

The journey to net zero, however, is complex. Challenges include transforming the energy sector, which is responsible for the largest share of global greenhouse gas emissions, creating resilient nature markets, implementing carbon capture technologies, and addressing social and political realities.

The Philippines incurs around PHP 200 billion annually in economic losses due to extreme weather events, highlighting the urgent need for investment in climate resilience.

Building on the success of its inaugural 2024 edition, which focused on "Strengthening Resilience: Scaling the Philippine Private Sector’s Net Zero Ambitions" and emphasized regeneration, decarbonization, and collaboration, the 2025 conference expands in focus.

The 2024 event brought together corporate leaders, policymakers, and climate advocates to discuss critical issues, highlighting progress made by NZCA partners in reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

The 2025 conference offers deeper sectoral engagement, solution-focused learning, and peer exchange grounded in local realities. New to this year’s event are CDx Fishbowl Sessions, interactive, participant-driven discussions designed to surface real-world strategies, peer learning, and practical enablers.

Attendees can expect to gain actionable knowledge across the core pillars of the NZCA Framework, learn from local and regional net zero implementation case studies, forge partnerships through curated networking spaces, and shape a shared action agenda for 2026 and beyond.

Confirmed speakers include Hon. Secretary Raphael “Popo” Lotilla of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, delivering the keynote, and Jerome H. Cainglet, President and COO of Energy Development Corporation, providing welcome remarks.

Other notable speakers and panelists include Rondell Torres (Sustainability Lead for the Philippines and Greater Asia at Unilever); Atty. Allan V. Barcena (NZCA Executive Director); Agnes de Jesus (First Philippine Holdings’ Chief Sustainability Officer), and Mark Lister (CEO, CDx), who will deliver the closing remarks.

Register now to secure your slot through https://netzerocarbonalliance.ph/nzcacon2025/ and equip your business with the insights, tools, and partnerships needed to implement effective solutions. By participating, you will not only advance your corporate sustainability agenda but also contribute to the Philippines’ national decarbonization strategy.

Let's turn ambition into tangible action for a more resilient, sustainable, and low-carbon future for the Philippines. PR

IN PHOTO:
The Net Zero Carbon Alliance’s 34 partners that have committed to decarbonizing their respective businesses call on the rest of the Philippine private sector to join them in their move toward a low-carbon economy.

20/08/2025

Net Zero Carbon Alliance

Philippine Journalists Equipped to Tell Stronger Climate Stories
at Net Zero 102 Media Training

Manila, Philippines – August 20, 2025 – Over two mornings of dynamic discussions and interactive exercises, about 30 journalists, editors, and media professionals from across the country joined the Net Zero 102 Media Training: The Role of Purposeful Journalism in a Polycrises World, held online via Zoom on August 19–20, 2025.

Building on last year’s Net Zero 101, which introduced foundational concepts of net zero, greenwashing, and sustainability standards, this year’s advanced training focused on next-level storytelling skills. Participants learned how to pitch compelling climate stories, craft sharper narratives, harness the power of visuals, and ethically integrate emerging AI tools into their reporting.

“In a world of overlapping crises, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding of what’s possible. This training is our way of supporting journalists as they carry the responsibility of telling purposeful climate stories,” said Atty. Allan V. Barcena, AVP and Head of Corporate Support Functions at Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and Executive Director of the Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NCZA), during his opening remarks.

The two-day program featured a strong lineup of speakers, including:
● Myrna Velasco (Manila Bulletin), shared insights on finding strong climate angles and pitching stories that resonate with editors.

● Qiyun Wu (The Weird and Wild), demonstrated how infographics, short-form video, and social media visuals can elevate climate storytelling.

● Jaemark Tordecilla (journalist, technologist, and media advisor), guided participants on the opportunities and risks of using AI tools in reporting, stressing the importance of editorial integrity.
Interactive sessions, like the Pitch Jam, gave participants hands-on practice drafting story pitches, peer feedback, and real-time input from trainers.

The training was hosted by the NZCA, in partnership with the Corporate Decarbonization Exchange (CDx), as part of their commitment to strengthening climate communication capacity in the region. NCZA's lead convenor, Frances Ariola who also heads EDC's corporate communications group, and Ping Manongdo who is head of partnerships at CDx acted as moderators during the seminar. (PR)

01/07/2025

Growing Awareness, Growing Forests:
EDC Leyte Celebrates Environment Month Through
Collective Action and Environmental Education

ORMOC CITY, LEYTE – First Gen-owned Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) Leyte Geothermal Facility celebrated Environment Month this June with a series of activities focusing on forest restoration, environmental awareness, and stakeholder collaboration. This reinforces the Lopez Group’s shared commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action.

Among the featured initiatives was a tree-growing activity held on June 25 in Tongonan, Leyte, where over 70 participants from EDC and fellow Lopez Group companies First Balfour and ThermaPrime, together with Silverlink and TG Services, came together to plant 100 native seedlings, including To-og, Narra, White Lawaan, and Yakal Saplungan.

This forms part of EDC’s BINHI greening legacy program, an initiative that reflects the Lopez Group’s unified approach to regeneration through forest restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts.

EDC Leyte Environmental Protection Head Leonita Sabando opened the activity by emphasizing both the environmental and personal value of tree growing-- not just as a contribution to ecological restoration-- but as an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and the natural world.

“Dili lang ni usa ka pagpangtanom og kahoy—usa ni ka kalihokan sa pagpatubo og kahoy. Pinaagi ani, dili lang ta makatabang sa kinaiyahan, kundi nagasuporta usab ta sa pagpahiuli sa atong watershed ug sa pagpalig-on sa atong panaghiusa,” Sabando said in the Bisaya dialect.

The activity was organized by EDC Leyte’s BINHI team and held within the grounds of the Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant, which is home to six arboreta dedicated to Philippine native tree species. These are part of the 48 arboreta established nationwide through the BINHI program in partnership with over 223 organizations, including local governments, academic institutions, and the private sector. These conservation areas serve as propagation sites for threatened native tree species, helping preserve the country’s biodiversity while supporting climate resilience in the regions where EDC operates.

The spirit of collaboration continued earlier in June, with employees and representatives from First Balfour joining EDC in an “Out in the Wild” environmental learning experience. The immersive activity brought participants to EDC’s geothermal reservation to observe its rich biodiversity and better understand the conservation efforts taking place within and around the company’s project sites.

To support long-term conservation efforts, the Leyte team likewise conducted nursery management and training sessions for their BINHI nursery personnel to enhance their technical skills in producing high-quality native tree seedlings.

EDC also engaged the youth through a Wildlife Quiz conducted in partnership with the Ormoc City LGU and the Department of Education (DepEd), which drew participation from 24 local schools. The event tested and enhanced the students’ knowledge of Philippine biodiversity, biodiversity conservation efforts, and environmental laws and regulations, while also preparing the winning teams for upcoming regional and national competitions.

To cap off the site’s Environment Month activities, EDC held a Poster Making Contest on June 30 at Pedro Bañez National High School, in collaboration with DepEd, Ormoc City LGU, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), where they invited students to creatively express their environmental advocacies through art. This effort forms part of EDC’s broader push to engage the youth and instill environmental awareness among the next generation of climate champions.

Environment Month serves as a timely reminder of our shared responsibility to care for the planet. For EDC, it is an opportunity to renew its commitment to environmental stewardship. By championing education and collective action, EDC continues to forge collaborative pathways toward a decarbonized and regenerative future, one that can only be achieved through strong partnerships and a unified effort to protect the Earth.

Energy Development Corporation is First Gen Corporation’s 100-percent Renewable Energy (RE) subsidiary with over 1,300 megawatts total installed capacity-- accounting for nearly 17-percent of the country’s total installed RE capacity. Its 1,169.85-megawatt 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)

IN PHOTO: Lopez Group employees from EDC, First Balfour, and ThermaPrime, together with Silverlink and TG Services, mark Environment Month by planting native tree seedlings in Tongonan, Leyte.

25/05/2025

ORMOC LINER TRANSPORT COOPERATIVE. SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING. May 25, 2025 at Jewel's Beach Resort, Tabgas, Albuera, Leyte.

In photo are the Board of Directors led by the chairman, Ceasar Gonato (seated, fourth from left).

OLTC is an exclusive transport services provider at the Tongonan geothermal fields. Among the highlights in this meeting is the amendment of the articles of cooperation and by-laws, increasing the authorized capital four-fold.

OLTC was founded in 2018, with just five vehicles up for rent. Over a stretch of 5 years, its fleet has grown to more than 100, with 115 regular drivers in its employ. (Christena A. Suazo and Christine Jane E. Palacio).

07/04/2025

LUSH GREENERY. CAPTIVATING CAPIZ. Mountains, rolling hills, valleys, rice terraces. These are but some of the many natural wonders within the confines of Brgy. Yating, a quiet village thriving in isolation some 13 kilometers away from the town of Pres. Roxas in the province of Capiz.

Local residents have mixed feelings about the village being left out-- sometimes even not appearing on lists, or maps. Yet its being so has left the surroundings virtually untouched for many years.

Although Yating has a concrete road, and a simple connection with the rest of the world through internet lines, it has only demanded a second look from local tourists with its falls and clean rivers.

Simple as it may appear, the village has a fully-staffed and well-maintained elementary and high school facilities. A large percentage of its population are professionals. According to official statitics, the population is young with a median age of 23.

Meanwhile, half of the people here are earning, with a providers to dependents ratio of 50:50. And the vast plantations of sugarcane, corn, and rice where most everyone is working supports the statistical probability. (By Rene V. de los Reyes)

PHOTOS BY Marz Cholo Lemonsito Dumali, a local resident. He is a photo-journalist and photography enthusiast at the Yating Elementary School publication.

09/03/2025

ORMOC LINER TRANSPORT COOPERATIVE. Annual general assembly meeting on its seventh year of operations.

First photo: board chairman Ceasar Gonato (center). From left: Niña Jessa Condeza, vice chairman Pedro Coma, Jr.; Eduardo Edol, Christena Suazo.

Second photo: majority of the 60-member strong general assembly from Ormoc, Isabel, Tacloban, Biliran; with the operations and office staff.
March 9, Zorex Garden Resort, San Isidro, Ormoc City. (By Rene V. de los Reyes)

31/01/2025

PRIVILEGED TO HEAR THIS STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE. Historic approval by Congress of the P200 across-the-board wage increase for our workers-- all over the country.

Incidentally, the Regional Wage Board is in Ormoc today to deliberate this, along with the P15.00 second-tranche increase that was previously approved (P20.00 having been added to the previous minimum wage, at which workers are now receiving P420.00 a day).

But as always, any increase on the minimum wage entails a corresponding increase on goods and services, thereby making the actual value of the wage lower: like, P420.00 minus inflation and the purchasing power of the peso would only be P375.00.

Build more roads, bridges, causeways, public buildings-- increase taxes to the max. Like, the approved 2026 budget is a whopping 6.7 trillion pesos(!); so how is the government going to raise that much? Taxes, increase everything; penalties, catch violators at all times and issue them tickets for fines.

So don't complain if you get a ticket for parking beside the church on a Sunday.

Editor's note: Atty. Allan S. Montaño is the commissioner of the Employees' Compensation Commission of the Department of Labor and Employment. He has held a host of labor posts in the country. He is the chairman-emeritus of the Federations of Free Workers', one of the biggest labor federations in the Philippines.

09/01/2025

Gregg Yan
Nel Mar
Energy Development Corporation
EDC BINHI

08/01/2025

MAN. METAL. MACHINE. Rapid race to finish from the southern parts of the main street up to the fringes of the Capitol.

Cebu Bus Rapid Transport thoroughfare, as seen from onboard a Cibus-Ceres Bus Lines bus.

Meanwhile the red-and-yellow banderitas herald the excitement wrought by the Sinulog Festival, less than two Sundays away.

27/12/2024

PIER 1 CEBU CITY. Terminal for fast crafts heading for Tagbilaran City and Ormoc City for the last trips of the day (4PM, 430PM).

December 27. In anticipation of the five-day weekend towards New Year.

22/12/2024

FROM the Western Leyte Field Office, Department of Labor and Employment.

Rosilito T. Ygaña, OIC Head.

18/12/2024

SOMETHING BIG IS ROCKING COGON. Soft opening of the well-known ECO's Seafood and Grill of their main store 'round the bend of the Cogon Rotunda fronting the OCIT Campus.

This store features the signature chicken and pork barbecue for which Eco's is known-- winning the Tatak Ormoc Awards once. An even better upgrade is the delectable Roca's Lechon, which will be available along with fish, squid, shells-- cooked upon the customer's liking: tinola, kinilaw, sinugba, adobo.

The store's chic design blends the modern and the native-- which is what diners usually look for when craving meat and seafood in a barbecue setting all at once.

So check this one out for your Christmas and New Year celebrations with family, friends, classmates on your reunions. (PR: Clarilyn Roca-Estudillo)

IN PHOTOS:

1)The sign heralds the store's entry into the bustling commercial corners of Brgy. Cogon, from its southern end near the Anilao Bridge Rotunda.
2)Early customers in a frenzy.
3)The main dining area of the store enclosed in glass.
4)Owners Ernesto de los Reyes, Jr. ("Jungie") and wife Reclyn Roca-de los Reyes, with the popular lechon man Lily, Reclyn's uncle.
5)Jungie and Reclyn with son-in-law Elino, daughters Verenice, and Clarilyn-- and a beaming Enreco, whose nickname, Eco the store is named after.
6)Who could resist hot lechon with its skin brown and crunchy?
7)The store boasts of a wide space on the second level, perfect for meetings and group activities where privacy is assured.
8)Among the guests during the opening event: DOLE Western Leyte Field Office OIC Rosilito Ygaña, wife Raquel and son RJ; the de los Reyes family headed by its matriarch Virginia, Jungie's brother and GoodPage Weekly Publisher Rene, sister Lynn, and nephew Rene Angelo.
9)Jungie and Reclyn with his mother, Virginia; with Msgr. Wilfredo Alejan, who led the mass during the store's blessing.

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12/09/2025

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01/07/2025

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31/01/2025

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