EDC’s Boracay wetland rehab to cost P10 million

Boracay, Aklan— Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is investing P10 million to rehabilitate its adopted wetland in the world-famous Boracay as part of the island’s restoration efforts to become a sustainable tourism destination.

EDC adopted the 7.79-hectare Wetland No. 2, which is one of the nine wetlands in the island identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) where environmental rehabilitation is needed.

In support of the government’s continuous rehabilitation efforts as well as to further stimulate eco-tourism, the Lopez-led firm entered into a partnership with the DENR.

EDC is developing Wetland No. 2 into the Boracay Wetland Conservation Park (BWCP) to serve as an arboretum for threatened native tree species under its BINHI reforestation and greening initiative.

The BINHI program is the company’s forest restoration project that prioritizes the propagation of 96 identified rare and threatened native tree species. 

“Under our memorandum of agreement with the DENR, the BWCP is a three-year project,” EDC Corporate Social Responsibility head Allan Barcena said.

“We plan to invest P10 million during this period. Aside from the walkway and view deck, a visitor information center and other visitor amenities will be built here in the future,” he said.

Under the wetland rehabilitation project, EDC has conducted thorough assessment of endemic flora and fauna in the location.

So far, it has planted the appropriate native tree species that will thrive in a wetland environment and that can support marine and land animals already existing in the area.

BWCP is rich in rare plants, including threatened species like Sander’s Alocasia, Narra, Ipil, Kubi, Antipolo, Isis, Sakat, Balakat, and Bakauan Dagat. 

EDC’s partnership with DENR is a continuing initiative that goes beyond just rehabilitating the wetland and planting more trees in the area. At present, visitors can also commune with nature from the scenic view deck and delight in observing local and migratory birds.

With BWCP and BINHI, EDC said Boracay island can look forward to a future where not only its clean waters and white sands showcase environmental sustainability, but also its very own native tree arboretum which can be part of the island’s sustainable eco-tourism campaign.

BWCP, as part of EDC’s BINHI program, expands EDC’s advocacy and mission to restore denuded forests, preserve and propagate threatened native tree species, and protect biodiversity to leave a legacy of a verdant Philippines for the next generation.

Now on its 10th year, the BINHI program has reforested 9,196 hectares across EDC’s geothermal sites located in Leyte, Bicol, Negros Oriental and North Cotabato. Additionally, to help further propagate these native tree species, BINHI now has 162 partners across 16 regions in the country.