Unocal supports Laguna water project,
forges partnership with AFUSA and FIDS
By INQ7.net

THE AYALA Foundation USA (AF USA) recently received an $8,000 grant from the Unocal Foundation to conduct an assessment study and sustainability planning for the community water system in Barangay Bitin in Bay, Laguna being supported by Unocal Philippines, Inc. (UPI).

The Foundation for Integrative and Development Studies (FIDS), a non-government organization based in the University of the Philippines, was tapped to implement the assessment project and develop the sustainability plan.

UPI has been supporting Barangay Bitin, one of three barangays hosting Unocal's operations in the Mak-Ban geothermal project, through its community engagement program including the community water project that provides potable water to some 5,000 residents of Bgy. Bitin. The new grant aims to evaluate the problems encountered by the local water association constituted by residents in managing the Water Project, help identify solutions and build up the capacities of the Barangay officials and residents in sustaining the project beyond Unocal's assistance and presence.

FIDS through the UP Pahinungod, the volunteer arm of the University of the Philippines, will engage the community in consultations, conduct capacity-building activities and develop a Sustainability Plan. In so doing, the community is encouraged to develop a sense ownership over the Water Project.

The new partnership between the AF USA as conduit and fund administrator, and FIDS as project implementor, was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed recently at the 1851 Club, BPI Building in Makati City. Unocal executives were also in attendance to witness the event. Present during the signing were Barangay Bitin Chairman Alberto Navarette, Ayala Foundation Director Mario Deriquito, UP Pahinungod Project Manager Dr. Jose Medina and Unocal Mak-Ban Asset Manager Minerva Batoon.

UPI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, one of the world's leading energy companies with operations in approximately 180 countries around the world. UPI operates steam fields that provide geothermal energy to the Tiwi and Mak-Ban power plants located in Albay and Laguna-Batangas provinces. Chevron has developed more than a quarter of the world's geothermal energy and is currently the world's largest geothermal energy producer.

The AF-USA, as a 501c(3) public charity in the U.S., provides tax deductibility incentives to Unocal Foundation for its grant to FIDS.