Leading clean energy provider First Gen Corporation and online grocery platform SukiGrocer have partnered with four farmer and fisherfolk groups in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, to enhance the livelihoods of their members.
First Gen, through its subsidiary First Gen Hydro Power Corporation (FG Hydro), formalized this collaboration with SukiGrocer through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last month with the four Pantabangan-based organizations.
SukiGrocer operates an online marketplace for fresh grocery items and other daily needs, which SukiGrocer delivers to customers safely and with no hidden charges, making its products affordable.
The MOU brings FG Hydro and SukiGrocer together with the Cadaclan Farmers Association (CAFA), Liberty Fisherman and Farmers Association (LFFA), Maluyon Indigenous Christian Farmers Association (MICFA), and Villanueve Farmers Association (VIFA).
Under the MOU, the groups will collaborate on capacity building, market linkage, and exploring financing opportunities to help scale up agricultural activities.
FG Hydro will provide coordination and technical support, while SukiGrocer will establish reliable and accessible market channels, enabling local associations to connect directly with consumers.
“At First Gen, we’ve always believed that our success is closely tied to the well-being of our host communities,” said Dennis Gonzales, president and chief operating officer of FG Hydro, said during the MOU signing. “Through this partnership, we’re building on what we’ve started — supporting not just the environment, but also the people who care for it.”
FG Hydro owns and operates the 132-megawatt (MW) Pantabangan-Masiway hydroelectric power plant complex in Pantabangan. It is also developing the Aya pumped-storage hydro project in the area, with an estimated capacity of 100 to 120 MW.
SukiGrocer Chief Executive Officer Brian Cu, for his part, highlighted the importance of direct market access. According to him, “connecting farmers directly to consumers allows them to earn more by eliminating layers of middlemen.”
The MOU builds on years of collaboration between FG Hydro and local communities. This latest effort shifts the focus toward strengthening livelihoods by improving production capacity, enhancing organizational capabilities, and expanding market access for farmers.
Leaders of the partner associations expressed appreciation for and commitment to the new initiative. They highlighted benefits such as increased production, higher household income, and better pricing for their products. The partnership was framed not just as an agreement but as a collaborative effort to improve incomes, strengthen communities, and secure a better future for families in Pantabangan.
Aside from hydro, First Gen’s renewable energy portfolio includes geothermal, solar, and wind facilities, with a combined capacity of 1,700 MW. In partnership with Prime Infrastructure Capital (Prime Infra), First Gen also owns a minority stake in four gas-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 2,017 MW. These gas facilities support baseload requirements and help offset the intermittency of renewable sources, thereby contributing to a more stable and secure power supply.
