TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 8 office (DENR-8) has called on the public to help in the protection and preservation of the forests within the Leyte geothermal production field (LGPF) reservation area in this province. DENR-8 Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca said the protection and preservation of the forest cover in the geothermal reservation is essential as an indispensable part of electricity production in the LGPF. He further explained that the forests are responsible for the steady and ample supply of the needed groundwater recharge or reinjection of water down deep to the hot underground along the volcanic fields in the reservation area. Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, in an interview said that the Leyte geothermal reservation, which has a total area of 107,625 hectares, is a vital source of electric power not only for Eastern Visayas, but nearby regions as well. Both Petilla and Sibbaluca appealed for support from thelocal government units, concerned other concerned government agencies, stakeholders, private organizations and the general public to help in the protection and preservation of the forests in the geothermal reservation area and immediately report any destruction being done to the area. The LGPF is the largest wet steam field in the world with a capacity of 708 megawatts from more than 180 drilled production and injection wells. (RESTITUTO CAYUBIT)
