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In recognition of their social development initiatives, Prime Infra-led subsidiaries Ahunan Power, Inc. and Olympia Violago Water and Power Inc. (OVWPI) received two prestigious Bantayog ng Lawa Awards from the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) on October 10.

The Bantayog ng Lawa Awards recognize groups and individuals who have made significant contributions to the livelihood and sustainable development of the Laguna de Bay region.

Ahunan and OVWPI were recognized with Bantayog Para sa Kabuhayan Awards for their grassroots community development initiatives, including those that provide wider access to health services, as well as livelihood and employment opportunities for community members.

“The Bantayog ng Lawa Award recognizes the efforts of the management of Ahunan Power and Olympia Violago to implement one of the government’s significant projects in terms of renewable energy and water supply, which I am sure will contribute to more sustainable development in the Laguna de Bay region. Hopefully, with the realization of your project, it will drive more economic prosperity in our region,” said LLDA Environmental Regulations Department Manager III Engr. Emiterio C. Hernández, EnP.

Ahunan Power began its community development program, called Tayo Na Pakil, in 2022 with a comprehensive survey and needs assessment exercise among members of its community.

This ensured that each initiative was aligned with what the community really needed, according to Prime Infra Foundation Programs and Operations Head Bernadette Tan.

She related that their needs assessment activities determined that limited access to health services, specifically dental and optical care, as well as livelihood and employment opportunities, were the communities’ main areas of concern.

Under the Tayo Na Pakil initiative is the PAKILight activity, which trained 70 women in candle and paper bag production. From there formed the Tanglaw Women of Pakil, a micro-enterprise that generates income and empowers local women entrepreneurs.

Also under the initiative is PAKILigtas, which builds community resilience through disaster preparedness training. Targeting schools and households, it educates participants on climate change and emergency response protocols while equipping them with Go Bags containing much-needed supplies.

Meanwhile, OVWPI’s initiatives focused on skills-based development rather than resource-based programs. As the project is located within an ancestral domain, it made more sense to provide skills training to the residents, enabling them to pursue opportunities beyond their communities.  

Established in 2024, Kilos Calawis is a social development program developed to improve the lives of local indigenous peoples (IP) and non-IP communities through skills enhancement and capacity building.

The program, a joint undertaking between OVWPI and Prime Infra Foundation, offered diverse training and workshops that span emergency response, environmental stewardship, hygiene and sanitation, community geohazard mapping, nutrition education, and culture preservation, enabling communities to reach their full potential and drive inclusive growth. 

The Bantayog Para sa Kabuhayan awards hold particular significance for Ahunan and OVWPI, given that both projects represent massive undertakings within the Laguna de Bay region. Securing approvals for the projects required strict adherence to environmental regulations, compliance with stringent government requirements and safeguards, and close collaboration with the communities.

These recognitions also affirm Prime Infra’s commitment to integrating environmental stewardship with social responsibility in all of its projects, thus allowing it to create lasting positive impact, not only in the Laguna de Bay region, but in all areas where it operates.