UPTOWN CAGAYAN DE ORO-Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO) is accelerating the rollout of solar energy installations as part of its broader Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) programs. These initiatives underscore the company’s commitment to sustainability, excellence and responsible development within a modern social context.
“The principle is called New Urbanism, where residents are given the opportunity to work and live in green,” said PDO Chairman & CEO Guillermo D. Luchangco.
Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO) recently tapped August Energy NetZero Inc., a leading provider of renewable energy solutions, to install some 200 kilowatt-peak (kWp) of solar panels across its developments in Cagayan de Oro and Batangas.
According to PDO AVP for Operations Engr. Adrian Alcayde, the installations include rooftop and ground-mounted systems at several key sites within the Pueblo de Oro Township in Cagayan de Oro: the Pueblo de Oro Golf & Country Club clubhouse, The Hub at Bamboo Lane, and the detention pond area at Westwoods Village. Additional systems have also been installed at the Pueblo de Oro Townscapes Sales Office in Malvar, Batangas.
“We believe sustainable development is not just about building homes, but also about fostering safe and resilient communities,” said Rhoel Alberto Nolido, President and COO of Pueblo de Oro. “This partnership with August Energy NetZero, Inc. is a natural extension of our mission to integrate renewable energy into our operations and uplift the communities we serve.”
PDO previously installed solar panels at the bag drop facility of Pueblo Golf and at Pueblo de Oro Townsquare in Lapu-Lapu City. The company has also donated solar panel systems and solar-powered streetlights to several barangays in Malvar and Batangas City.
These latest solar renewable energy initiatives are a key integral component of PDO’s long established ESG programs safeguarding the environment and empowering local communities.
Water Conservation at Pueblo Golf
At Pueblo Golf, five man-made lakes serve as reservoirs for conserving and recycling irrigation water. These support the maintenance of Pueblo’s 18-hole, all-weather golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. The golf course’s integrated drainage system channels runoff water into the lakes, helping prevent flooding in nearby communities.
“At Pueblo de Oro, we take the initiative and make big steps to keep the city green and to encourage lifestyle in keeping with the Green Revolution,” Luchangco stressed. “We seek to create value for the environments in which our communities are established. We have committed ourselves to develop and uphold green and sustainable developments. We tap into innovative practices and strategies to continuously improve our designs, construction, and operations in all aspects.”
Green Initiatives Beyond the Township
Beyond its master planned developments, PDO implements environmental programs nationwide through its tree planting activities in San Fernando, Pampanga; Sto. Tomas, Batangas; Mactan, Cebu; and Cagayan de Oro. Households in PDO communities are also encouraged to practice garbage segregation to facilitate more efficient recycling.
Further, Pueblo de Oro’s detention pond in Cagayan de Oro collects stormwater from uphill and gradually releases it into the Calaanan Creek, mitigating flooding in its communities as well as nearby barangays.
Pueblo de Oro Urban Rainforest
One of PDO’s most prominent environmental commitments is the 36-hectare Pueblo de Oro Urban Rainforest, a living testament to its dedication to biodiversity and maintained since 2005 as a refuge to numerous endemic animal and plant species. Beyond enhancing the natural beauty of the Township, the rainforest is managed in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) nearby schools, and volunteer organizations to protect the biodiversity of the area.
According to the Winrock International Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Carbon Storage Calculator, a hectare of rainforest can absorb between 4.5 and 40.7 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Assuming a conservative estimate of 10 tons of CO2 absorbed per hectare per year, the Pueblo de Oro Urban Rainforest has already absorbed approximately 10,800 tons of carbon dioxide over the past 30 years.
Community-Based Environmental Projects
Pueblo de Oro also supports multiple community-driven environmental preservation projects such as reforestation efforts, running seedling nurseries, and ongoing tree-growing projects.
These initiatives are implemented in collaboration with local groups to promote environmentally sustainable practices and include regular seminars on waste management, vermicomposting, and recycling. River clean-up drives also engage community members to foster shared responsibility for a cleaner, safer environment.
Collectively, these ESG efforts position PDO and its developments as sustainable, community-driven assets that contribute to both environmental preservation and social well-being, upholding the gold standard of community living.
Expanding the Vision Nationwide
Under the Pueblo de Oro Communities brand, the company continues to expand its footprint in key urban centers across the Philippines. Currently, it is developing a combined 90 hectares of self-sustaining villages in San Fernando, Pampanga; Lapu-Lapu, Cebu; and Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
Already recognized for creating affordable, master-planned communities, Pueblo de Oro now seeks to make renewable energy a defining feature of its brand identity, blending modern development with environmental responsibility.
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