For the past 11 years, First Gen Corporation has been quietly helping protect the fragile ecosystem of the Verde Island passage which has been recognized as the center of the world's marine biodiversity. Unknown to many, the Lopez company, one of the country's largest power producers, is the guardian of 43 declared marine protected areas with a total area of 2072 hectare in Batangas as implementer of Project Center of Center (CoC). According to Janice Dugan assistant manager of the company's Social Responsibility Group, First Gen started initiating Project CoC as far back as 2004 in response to results of an exhaustive study conducted by two respected marine scientists, Dr. Kent Carpenter of the Global Marine Species Assessment and Dr. Springer of the Smithsonian Institution.

Loyola, J. (2015, August). Bantay Dagat volunteers get a benefactor. Manila Bulletin, p. C-4.