A survey and monitoring activity conducted by the power plant company Therma Luzon, Inc. (TLI) and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) at the Pagbilao Mangrove Experimental Forest and other wildlife places around the power plant site has discovered the existence of rare birds in the area.
The joint activity, done as part of the 2026 Annual Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), aims to enhance awareness on wildlife conservation.
Bird species discovered in the area include over 80 garganey and almost 200 Philippine Ducks called "papan."
The survey team has also sighted and documented a rare leucistic white "Papin," a Philippine duck with unique pale feathers among the bunch of the birds.
Ramil Gutierrez, chief of CENRO-Tayabas, said they are focused in their initiative on the protection of various kinds of birds in their area of responsibility, particularly the migratory birds.
“Ang AWC ay isang regular na aktibidad ng CENRO Tayabas kasama ang TLI at iba pang mga stakeholders na may layuning itaas ang kamalayan sa kahalagahan ng wildlife conservation,” Gurierrez said.
Lou Jason Deligencia, AVP for Corporate Services, claims that the appearance of garganey and ducks in the lagoon of the Pagbilao Power Station suggests that the areas are fit as a wildlife habitat.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama ng mga ganitong survey sa corporate environmental, social and governance frameworks, tinitiyak ng inisyatiba na ang operasyon ng TLI ay nananatiling balanse sa nakapalibot na ecosystem,” Deligencia said expressing his belief that energy power needs to join hands with the community where the power plant is located.
The data collected from the joint monitoring activity will be shared in the international database of AWC, which keeps watch on the health of wetlands in the whole of Asia.
The initiative showed the cooperation between the private and public sectors like the Aboitiz Power providing support for the protection of the migratory path and local ecosystem.
The TLI said it intends to continue supporting future programs of the local government unit for environment sustainability in affirmation of their pledge to collaborate with the local government and stakeholders of the community for the protection of the environment in Pagbilao.
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