First Gen recognized as active CSR stakeholder of Agusan CanyonFG Bukidnon Power Corporation, a subsidiary of First Gen Corporation, was cited by Brgy. Agusan Canyon in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon as an active CSR stakeholder for extending technical assistance to the barangay’s capability building and environmental efforts.

The recognition was given via Zoom during First Gen’s ceremonial turnover of a plastic shredder to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Agusan Canyon on Aug. 4.

“We are so thankful to First Gen for all the support given to our projects in this time of pandemic,” Yendi Cachapero, SK Agusan Canyon chairperson, said as she presented the plaque of appreciation to First Gen.

How it started

Since 2017, First Gen has been conducting Create for the Climate (CFTC), its flagship program for the environment that is anchored on Sustainable Development Goal 13 (climate action).

When First Gen brought CFTC to Brgy. Agusan Canyon in 2019, it challenged the community to come up with projects that will address their solid waste problem.

With the help of CFTC coaches and climate reality leaders from The Climate Reality Project Philippines, SK Agusan Canyon innovated their “free throw” bins project into an ecobrick project.

“We observed that people are having fun throwing their trash in bins as if they’re playing basketball. So, we initially thought of putting free throw bins around the barangay instead of ordinary trash bins…,” Cachapero shared.

SK Agusan Canyon, together with the youth and barangay health workers, then produces ecobricks using plastic bottles from the free throw bins.

The ecobricking project bagged first place in CFTC’s climate action plan competition.

Ripple effect

The single-shaft shredder from First Gen will help SK Agusan Canyon speed up the creation of ecobricks.

“We are proud of the ripple effect that [SK Agusan Canyon] has created in [their] community especially among the youth… For helping us to fulfill our mission of a regenerative future. We hope that through the Create for the Climate program, we become more responsible stewards of nature,” Mitchel Bullecer, FG Bukidnon Power Corporation community relations specialist, said. (Story/Photos by: Dianne Datu)