Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
VALENCIA, Negros Oriental May 7 (PIA) – “When you go out of here,
I hope you have learned a lot of things that will help you become better
people, become better citizens, become better Filipino.”
These were the parting words of Energy Development Corporation-Negros
Island Geothermal Business Unit (EDC-NIGBU) Head James Villaroman to 47 high
school students who completed the seven-day Energy Camp here.
EDC’s Energy Camp is an annual summer activity organized by the
renewable energy firm and is attended by children of EDC employees in Negros
Island, EDC scholars, and other youths from their host communities.
Held at the EDC geothermal facility, the camp started on
April 30 and culminated on May 6.
Villaroman graced the culminating activity together with Valencia
municipal administrator Romy Alviola, EDC former president and CEO Paul Aquino,
and Engr. Carlo Borromeo, also an official of EDC.
In his message to campers, Villaroman shared some important
values that they should carry after the event.
“I would like to say three things that I hope you do remember.
First is integrity, always act with integrity. Then act with respect to
yourself and to others and try to live outside of yourself. Let’s try to be a
better person to others,” Villaroman said.
Energy camp itself is the embodiment of this value of living
outside ourselves, he added.
For seven days the campers were taught on disaster preparedness
skills and the importance of environmentalism.
Campers also engaged in various sports activities such as
swimming, archery, wall climbing, karate, and zip line that helped them foster
values of teamwork, camaraderie, and discipline.
Started in 2004, this year marks the 12th year of EDC’s Energy
Camp.
EDC’s former president and CEO Paul Aquino explained that the
first Energy Camp was part the firm’s program in strengthening its community
relations, but now this is part of their corporate social
responsibility programs.
Aquino further said the impact of the Energy Camp to the community
is employment.
He explained that past participants of the camp, most especially
their scholars, are now employees of the renewable energy firm.
Another important lesson that campers learn from the camp is
environmentalism.
“Environment becomes a very important undertaking in the company,”
he said.
He also added that the company promotes organic composting and
always conduct tree planting activities as part of their environmental
sustainability programs.
Aquino hopes that through this initiative, young people will have
more knowledge on the role of renewable energy firms in providing sustainable
energy and will consider being part of companies that focus on renewable
energy. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)