SCG-Mariwasa launches alternative biomass project

MANILA, Philippines - To help those affected by typhoon Yolanda in Lawaan, Eastern Samar, SCG and its subsidiary, Mariwasa, has partnered with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery and the Lawaan local government to create a program which will be the very first of its kind. The project aims to gather all the uprooted coconut trees and use them as an alternative source of energy.

“Lawaan was badly affected by typhoon Yolanda, where the extent of the damage that happened in other areas, such as Tacloban, happened to us as well. Many lives were lost and our entire infrastructure was damaged. Aside from our infrastructure, the environment of the area was also affected, with hectares of coconut trees that were uprooted and damaged as well,” shares Mayor Candida Eligio Garbornes of the Municipality of Lawaan in Eastern Samar.

The uprooted coconut trees are a concern for Lawaan because as these trees decompose, they will attract insects in the area, which will destroy the crops and farming lands of the locals.

With an estimated 356, 580 damaged coconut trees in the region, locals have resorted to burning the felled trees, which is detrimental to the environment.

The project will enjoin the communities in Lawaan to clear vast areas of felled trees. With the help of SCG-Mariwasa in providing the necessary tools and vehicles for clearing and transportation, the coconut trees will be delivered to Mariwasa to be transformed into a usable resource which will power Mariwasa’s plants while helping sustain Lawaan’s environment.

As payment for the felled coconut trees that will be used to fuel its plant, the company will be giving construction materials to rebuild schools and day-care centers.

“SCG has always been committed in not just protecting the environment but in the development of the youth. We believe that giving building and construction materials for the rehabilitation of the schools and day-care centers is among the most important things to do for now because we believe that our children’s education should not be compromised and but be lifted especially in these hard times,” shared Phaskorn Buranawit, president of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc.

This project aims to not just rebuild schools that were devastated by typhoon Yolanda but to help improve the facilities and make them disaster resilient.

The project will also build day-care centers in the hard to reach barangays of Lawaan.