Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. is strengthening wildfire prevention efforts in Bugallon, Pangasinan through Project Kabisig sa Kabundukan, a community-based initiative aimed at protecting homes and livelihoods amid the severe El Niño dry spell affecting Northern Luzon.
The program provides around P500,000 worth of firefighting and agricultural equipment to nine People’s Organizations in the area, helping communities prevent grassland fires before they spread.
According to the company, the initiative comes as the Bureau of Fire Protection recorded a rise in grassland fires across Pangasinan from 2024 to the present due to prolonged dry conditions.
Under the project, local organizations received 11 power sprayers, 45 high-capacity knapsack sprayers, 10 motorized grass cutters, industrial hand tools, and personal protective equipment.
The equipment will be used to clear dry vegetation and maintain firelines, helping stop wildfires from reaching farms, homes, and nearby communities.
Mandy De Leon Palma, a member of the Aluklukan Village Farmers Association, said the equipment gives residents the ability to respond quickly to fire threats.
“When fire breaks out near our homes and farms, we can’t afford to stay idle. In Bugallon, we are surrounded by dry land. With these sprayers and cutters, we now have the capacity to stop a fire before it reaches our community,” Palma said.
Aside from wildfire prevention, the equipment also supports farmers during the rainy season by helping irrigate crops such as rice, corn, eggplant, squash, and string beans.
Leo D. Lungay, Vice President and General Manager of Solar and Wind Operations at Aboitiz Renewables, said the project strengthens the capacity of communities to protect both their homes and sources of livelihood.
“By working hand-in-hand with local farmers, we ensure that while we generate clean energy for the nation, we also foster a resilient and fire-safe environment for the people of Pangasinan,” Lungay said.
The company said Project Kabisig sa Kabundukan reflects its commitment to supporting host communities while promoting climate resilience and community safety alongside renewable energy development.
