On 22 May 2026, the Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation, Inc. (UPLBFI) signed a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the project titled “Strengthening Institutions for Biodiversity-Oriented Livelihood (SIBOL) Program for the Sustainable Development of Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park and Mount Bulalo” at PGPC MakBan Field Office in Bitin, Bay, Laguna.
The project aims to sustain community-based livelihood initiatives, strengthen and institutionalize partner communities through capacity-building and networking, promote awareness of geothermal energy and its benefits, and support the continued biodiversity management and restoration of Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP) and Mount Bulalo.
The project forms part of the ongoing collaboration between PGPC and the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME), College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, in support of the sustainable management, protection, and conservation of MMFR AHP and Mount Bulalo.
Present during the signing ceremony were PGPC President Napoleon L. Saporsantos, Jr., UPLBFI Officer-in-Charge Executive Director Rolando T. Bello, PGPC MakBan Operations Director Elvin M. Marcelo, MCME Director Lerma SJ. Maldia, and Project Leader Leilani A. Castillo, University Researcher III of MCME. (Article by For. Leilani Castillo, photo courtesy of For. Myranel Canceran)