PUERTO GALERA, Oriental Mindoro—Mayor Rockey D. Ilagan has ordered a renewable energy company here to stop all illegal activities in its wind farm project site after it allegedly violated the town’s environmental, health and safety standards.
The order of Mayor Ilagan to Philippine Hybrid Energy Systems Inc. came on the heels of mounting complaints against PHESI’s construction activities that resulted in the massive erosion and siltation of Mt. Baclayan watershed, the main source of fresh and potable water being used by residents.
The Puerto Galera chief local government executive stressed that while the “local government fully supports development projects, such as this renewable energy project, the mandate of protecting the general welfare of the community must come first and taken care of.”
Joan A. Yap, Puerto Galera environment and natural resources officer, said in her report to the mayor that PHESI’s construction activities of its substation in upper Baclayan “contaminates the water supply in the surrounding areas of Navinasan, Baclayan, Hondura, Tabinay River and Balatero River once the rains fall.”
Heavy siltation of Balatero River due to erosion also affected Ponderosa River, in Barangay San Isidro (White Beach).
They also complained of mud and silt flowing into the Hondura Bay, a fishing ground, in Barangay Poblacion. Also affected by siltation is the Tamaraw Falls, a favorite scenic spot frequented by local and foreign tourists, located along the roadside going to Puerto Galera town proper.
The local government was incensed by PHESI’s non-compliance with two previous notices, dated March 20 and April 18, this year, to “stop immediately all illegal activities” in its project site.
The power company also failed to “submit plans and other supporting papers” demanded by the local government. “It has no action plan for environmental restoration,” Yap said.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, through its action officer, Engineer Rodrigo Manongsong, said that “due to continuous damages and effects of the PHESI project at the mountain area of Baclayan, the main water source,” it has not provided mitigation plan to protect the environment, the reason why there are continuing erosion, flooding and siltation in the area.”
This PHESI’s “non-compliance to install mitigating measures will totally damage the property and lives of the people that adversely affects the tourism industry of Puerto Galera,” the MDDRMC official added.
Mayor Ilagan will meet Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and newly-designated Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to consult them on what proper action can the local government do regarding the violations committed by PHESI.
“The Puerto Galera LGU is doing its part to protect our environment and natural resources, but it has no technical expertise, unlike the DENR and DoE,” he said.
The PHESI is the owner of the long-delayed P6-billion wind farm project that started ten years ago in 2007. It has eight 230-foot tall wind towers, with six megawatts each, all capable of generating 48 megawatts of electricity.
The energy farm project is located on a highland village of Baclayan, 900 meters or 2,700 feet above sea level overlooking the town proper and the famous coves within the Verde Island Passage.
Ongoing construction is the 10-meter wide, nine-kilometer access road which is also one of the major causes of soil erosion and siltation of rivers and the adjoining Hondura Bay, a rich fishing ground of local fishermen.
“Residents and tourists have complained that they can no longer use for washing and laundry nor imbibe the once clean, fresh and potable water from Baclayan because it’s color has turned into liquid chocolate,” a foreign expat told this newsman.