TVI powers up a greener future with Scubasurero cleanup drive

CEBU, Philippines — Therma Visayas, Inc. (TVI), part of the AboitizPower group, is making big waves in the fight against marine pollution.

Through its innovative clean-up campaign, “Scubasurero”, TVI has removed nearly 11,500 kilograms of waste from coastal and underwater areas—proving that doing good for the planet and doing well in business can go hand in hand.

Launched in 2022, the program shows TVI’s growing commitment to protecting the ocean and promoting care for the environment in the communities where it operates.

The latest clean-up, held in Barangay Bato, Toledo City, highlights TVI’s strong focus on the Tañon Strait, one of the Philippines’ richest marine areas, said Emalyn Sevilla, Environmental Supervisor of TVI.

Working together with local groups, volunteers, and government agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (DENR-TSPS) and the Philippine Coast Guard, the team collected just 35 kilograms of marine waste—a major improvement from the 408 kilograms gathered when the program first started.

“Scubasurero exemplifies the powerful impact of collective action in advancing environmental stewardship,” noted Sevilla, emphasizing that the company’s and its partners’ efforts beneath the waves are part of a broader vision where businesses, communities, and institutions work hand-in-hand to “preserve the ecosystems we all depend on.”

Born from a grassroots movement among TVI’s diving-enthusiast employees, Scubasurero has evolved into a full-scale corporate environmental program. Its success mirrors the growing environmental consciousness among residents, fisherfolk, and civil society organizations.

Beyond marine protection, TVI’s sustainability strategy extends inland. Through Project B.R.I.C.K., a collaboration with the Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (AFI) and local cooperatives, the company repurposes industrial byproducts such as fly ash into eco-friendly bricks and pavers.

To date, the initiative has produced over 1,500 eco-bricks and 15,000 pavers, providing sustainable building materials while generating livelihood opportunities for Toledo City residents.

Another cornerstone of TVI’s environmental commitment is its Carbon Sink Management Program (CSMP), launched in 2016 to rehabilitate degraded lands and support biodiversity. The program recently celebrated a major achievement: planting over one million native and fruit-bearing trees across Cebu—three years ahead of its 2027 target.

“These achievements are a testament to what we can accomplish when businesses invest in collaborative partnerships with local communities,” said Noel Cabahug, Vice President for Facilities – Visayas at AboitizPower.

“We believe that creating shared value for society and delivering reliable energy are not mutually exclusive goals, but complementary missions,” Cabahug added.

TVI operates the 340 MW coal-fired Toledo Power Plant in Barangay Bato, one of the few facilities in the Philippines equipped with a Coal Dome, which ensures safer coal storage and reduced dust emissions. Utilizing advanced Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) technology and Best Available Control Technology (BACT), the plant exemplifies how thermal energy production can meet higher environmental standards.

As part of the AboitizPower Transition Business Group, TVI continues to transform the traditional energy landscape by integrating responsible practices into its operations—proving that sustainability and power reliability can move forward together. — (FREEMAN)