In a significant move to enhance community engagement, AboitizPower Renewables Inc. (APRI) organized an educational session in Tiwi, Albay, on February 10, 2025. The event was designed to equip local barangay officials, representatives from local government units, and national agencies with the knowledge needed to effectively utilize energy regulatory (ER) funds. The session, attended by enthusiastic participants, was captured in a group photo, symbolizing a step forward in community empowerment.
Kim Desepeda, APRI’s information officer, highlighted that the day’s agenda included a deep dive into the essentials of ER funds, covering key components, procedural details, and common queries. The session also featured updates from the Department of Energy (DOE), particularly on the deadlines for submitting the annual work plan (AWP).
Jocelyn Binalla, APRI’s Reputation Supervisor, reassured attendees that unspent ER funds, which have accumulated due to delays in project liquidation by local government units, remain accessible upon meeting certain criteria.
The ER 1-94, established in 1994, mandates power companies like APRI to contribute 1 centavo per kilowatt-hour of generated electricity to host communities. These contributions fund a range of initiatives from development and livelihood programs to electrification, reforestation, watershed management, and health and environmental projects.
To keep the session lively, the APRI Reputation Management Team introduced a quiz competition, rewarding the winning team with a token of appreciation. The event also served to dispel myths surrounding the ER fund program.
Wendy Bautista, APRI’s Reputation Manager, emphasized the company’s commitment to not just regulatory compliance but also to the welfare of the communities they serve. Leonardo Robel, Jr., APRI’s Vice President for Corporate Services, spoke of the company’s vision to expand renewable energy assets while fostering community growth, particularly among the youth.
Looking ahead, APRI is set to introduce Project Aurish before the end of Q2 2025. This innovative online platform will provide round-the-clock access to ER fund information for local implementers, marking a new era in transparency and efficiency.