EDC’s Jayvi Valenzuela and Marie Christine Jamiana turn over the RNA extractor to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, provincial administrator Ray Diaz II and Disaster Management Program division head Zeaphard CaelianEnergy Development Corporation (EDC) has donated an RNA extractor to Negros Occidental to further strengthen the province’s COVID-19 resiliency.

The equipment worth P3 million was turned over by EDC community partners Marie Christine Jamiana and Jayvi Valenzuela to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson in a ceremony held at the provincial capitol on Dec. 3. “

“We are one with Negros Occidental in its fight against COVID-19,” said Norreen Bautista, head of EDC’s corporate social responsibility team in Negros Island. “Through its molecular laboratory in Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital where this vital RNA extractor will be used and with the Negrenses’ observance of all health and safety protocols, we believe that Bacolod City and the rest of the province will soon be able to win this war by flattening the curve even before the release of a COVID-19 vaccine.”

This initiative of EDC is part of its COVID-19 community assistance to the Visayas region, specifically in Negros Island, Ormoc City and Iloilo.

Negros Oriental’s first own molecular laboratory that EDC funded began operating in late November, while Ormoc City’s first own testing facility has gotten the green light to operate from the Department of Health.

To date, EDC has provided over P6 million worth of aid to its partner communities in Bago City and Murcia, the Diocese of Bacolod City, various local government units, and its customers in Negros Occidental since the onset of the pandemic as part of its commitment to continuously support the province even if it has no operations in the area.

As we continue to keep our employees safe and provide uninterrupted clean, renewable, reliable power to the country, we will keep on finding ways to uplift our stakeholders in Negros Island to help them beat the health and economic crisis brought about by COVID-19. This is part of our commitment to go beyond sustainability that merely seeks to do less harm by being regenerative,” said Bautista.