by Chell Ugay

Spreading #PositiveEnergy in helping to protect our country's forest cover, Davao Light and Aboitiz Foundation recently turned over new communication equipment to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI, particularly for the use of forest rangers at Mt. Apo Natural Park and Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, which are both protected ecological sites in Mindanao.

DENR XI Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel A. Evasco said that with the communication equipment, “forest patrolling will be more efficient, stewardship of our forests will be stronger and our forest rangers will be empowered,” leading towards a healthy environment for all.

Meanwhile, Joel Pardillo, Officer-in-Charge and Protected Area Superintendent of Mt. Apo, said that the donated equipment will be a big help in their communications.

“Right now, it is very hard to rely on cell phones as our medium of communication in the natural park since there are areas that do not have signal and, because of that, we can hardly communicate with each other, especially if we are on the peak of the mountain… Communication is very vital and so with this donated equipment, we can already communicate with each other,” he said.

Davao Light hopes that the forest patrollers are now more equipped to manage and protect the forests and mountain slopes and keep them safe from hazards that come with related daily tasks.

We are honored and glad that we are given this opportunity to provide support for the forest rangers. Providing [forest rangers] with much-needed communication equipment will not only help them effectively patrol these ecological sites but also help assure their safety while at work. We have also added hard hats, uniforms, radio chest harnesses, and other materials to provide further protection and comfort.

– Engr. Enriczar T. Tia, AVP for Engineering, Davao Light

Tia added, “we in the Aboitiz Group, do not take the environment lightly. It is part of our Group DNA of Advancing Business and Communities, where we put value in environmental protection and preservation as part of our businesses. We strongly believe that a job is only half done if the environment is not considered.”

Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines and, as such, one of the most popular nature-based tourism sites, while Mt. Hamiguitan is a mountain located in Davao Oriental and home of endemic flora and fauna species.