By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Therma Luzon’s Lou Jason Deligencia and Kirk Coronel discuss community programs with host Cecille Maloles...
By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino
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| Therma Luzon’s Lou Jason Deligencia and Kirk Coronel discuss community programs with host Cecille Maloles during Kapihan sa PIA Quezon at Pacific Mall in Lucena City on October 27, 2026. (Pacific Mall Lucena) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - More Quezon communities could receive health, education and livelihood assistance as AboitizPower looks for opportunities beyond its host town of Pagbilao. The company said it is coordinating with the provincial government to identify local needs and determine where additional support may be provided.
Through its subsidiary Therma Luzon Inc. (TLI), AboitizPower has supported scholars, fisherfolk and health initiatives in Pagbilao, where its power plant operates. Its assistance outside the municipality has included medical equipment for Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City.
TLI representatives discussed their community programs during Kapihan sa PIA Quezon at Pacific Mall in Lucena City on October 27, 2026. The forum, hosted by Cecille Maloles, carried the theme “Powering Progress: Advancing Community Development Together.”
Lou Jason Deligencia, TLI assistant vice president for corporate services, said Pagbilao remains a priority because it hosts the company’s power plant. He said TLI also works with provincial officials to identify opportunities to help residents in other municipalities.
Deligencia said the company wants to understand which communities have the most urgent needs before deciding where to direct future assistance. TLI has not named additional municipalities that may receive support or announced a timetable for new projects.
“Marami pong pangangailangan sa lalawigan, kaya mahalagang malaman namin kung aling mga komunidad ang higit na nangangailangan ng suporta. Sa pakikipag-ugnayan namin sa pamahalaang panlalawigan, mas maipaprayoridad namin kung saan makakatulong ang aming mga proyekto,” Deligencia said.
TLI’s previous assistance to Quezon Medical Center included an endoscopy system with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography capability, turned over in 2025. The equipment was provided through a ₱17.8-million community project intended to improve local access to specialized procedures.
Education and livelihoods
Kirk Coronel, TLI reputation and stakeholder management manager, said education, health and livelihood remain central to the company’s programs in Pagbilao, particularly in Barangay Ibabang Pulo. She said consultations and research help TLI understand the needs of fisherfolk, farmers, mothers and senior citizens before developing projects.
The company’s initiatives include scholarships, financial assistance for high school students, health services and support for local livelihoods. Coronel said TLI uses information gathered from residents to help ensure that its projects respond to community needs.
“Ang direksiyon po ng aming mga proyekto ay tumugon sa pangangailangan ng komunidad, bumuo ng oportunidad at suportahan ang pangmatagalang kabuhayan. Patuloy po kaming makikinig sa mga mangingisda, magsasaka at iba pang sektor upang mas maunawaan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan,” Coronel said.
TLI provided financial assistance to 20 Pagbilao high school students in October to help with their educational expenses. Its college scholarship program also supports students taking courses including accountancy and engineering at Southern Luzon State University.
Coronel said TLI is considering a partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to align community training with skills needed at the plant. The planned initiative aims to help residents prepare for employment opportunities while responding to the company’s workforce needs.
“Isa po sa mga inaantay naming proyekto ang partnership with TESDA upang maihanda ang ating komunidad sa mga kasanayang kailangan ng planta. Sa pamamagitan po ng training, nais din naming makatulong na mabigyan ng mas magandang oportunidad sa trabaho ang ating mga kababayan,” Coronel said.
The company plans to distribute medicines to Pagbilao barangays in November and December as part of its annual commitment to local communities. Coronel said a project involving equipment for the town’s Super Health Center is planned for 2027.
For fishing communities, Deligencia cited projects involving a seagrass sanctuary, artificial reefs and training intended to improve the value of fishery products. AboitizPower has also supported milkfish farming in Pagbilao Grande Island through its Bangus Grande Enterprise project with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Deligencia said TLI reports the results of its marine life monitoring to environmental authorities and nearby barangays as part of its activities around the plant. Responding to a request during the forum, he said the company would make environmental data available to journalists.
Solar energy plans
AboitizPower is also looking for suitable areas in Quezon that could accommodate solar power projects, Deligencia said during the forum. The company’s renewable energy team continues to search for land, although he did not announce a specific site or construction timetable.
Deligencia said the amount of suitable land available is among the considerations in developing solar projects in the province. He also discussed the role of battery storage and other electricity sources in meeting demand when solar generation is unavailable.
“Patuloy po kaming naghahanap ng mga angkop na lugar sa Quezon kung saan maaaring makapagtayo ng solar power plant. Kasabay nito, kailangan din nating pag-aralan kung paano masisiguro ang maaasahang suplay ng kuryente kapag hindi available ang solar generation,” Deligencia said.
Asked about rooftop solar services, Deligencia said Solviva Energy could offer installations to households in Quezon Province in the future. The AboitizPower-backed company is pursuing expansion beyond Greater Manila, with Cebu and Davao among its identified target markets.
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