Lack of data averts wind farm FPIC process

4 MIN READ

By GINA DIZON with reports from GWEN GAONGEN
www.nordis.net

SAGADA, Mountain Province — The lack of information material on studies on the effects of wind turbine construction stalled the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) process for the proposed construction of a windfarm atop Pilaw-Langsayan ridge between Sagada and Besao.

These, aside from the absence of materials or information from hydrogeology and soil tests, financial projections, viability and detailed engineering plans that the participants during the second general assembly of the FPIC process on May 20-24 wanted to know.

The meeting was conducted by  the  National Commission On Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in the barangays of Kiniway, Lacmaan, Padangaan, Besao West, Besao  East, Suquib, Gueday, Agawa of Besao; and northern barangays Bangaan, Pide, Aguid, Fidelisan, and Tanulong, and  central Poblacion, Dagdag and Demang of Sagada who noted the absence of  technical and detailed information to guide affected folks in the said areas to come up with an informed decision.

It is a project proposed by Philcarbon Inc., to construct a 15 megawatt  windfarm here.

Bangaan  Todyog  from Bangaan barangay voiced out his hesitation on the  installation of  wind turbines which might  hit water sources and may divert  water  to either  adjoining Besao or  Sagada and may trigger conflict between the two tribes.

Philcarbon consultant Marijo Macaldo from  Apercu Consultants  and Philcarbon director Leonides Natera  said  steps shall be done not to hit water sources  on the construction of the windmill turbines but they were not able to provide studies or technical plans to indicate or assure the water systems shall not be hit.

The Pilaw-Langsayan ridge sits on  a critical watershed where hundreds of  villagers  from identified barangays cited above as the source of their domestic and irrigation water to nearby rice fields and vegetable patches.  

As agenda for a second general assembly of the FPIC process, the applicant Philcarbon is supposed to present their  engineering  work plan and  feasibility studies, and other relevant information to inform affected folks of the company’s proposed windfarm project .

Noting the lack of these necessary information on the proposed windfarm, community leader Henry Aquino from Besao said the people of the affected barangays should be informed and fully appraised of what the project is all about so that they are guided in their decision  of whether to allow the  windfarm or not.

Indigenous Peoples representative to the Sangguniang  Bayan of Besao,  Ben Marrero  also noted that  environmental impact studies have not yet reached the legislative body of the community.  

Woman leader  Janet Otinggey from Besao  is  fearful that  the weight of the  turbine might someday give way and cause a landslide.

There is no  soil or hydrogeology tests done by the  proponent, though Natera and Macaldo said studies shall be done later. The environmental impact assessment conducted by Philcarbon was reported to have been submitted to the Department of  Environment And Natural Resources (DENR). They also did a vegetative, water resource, and bird path assessment on the proposed windfarm.

FPIC guidelines provide for at least 2 months decision period  following the  second general assembly of the FPIC process.

Affected folks in Besao asked for an extension for decision making pending the needed information from Philcarbon.

Though barangay captain of Fidelisan James Duyog said his village constituents have already decided that they do not want the project and so with affected folks from Agawa, who indicated the possible source of threats for landslidesbshould the project proceed.

Community leader and former kagawad  Langbay Suyon from Aguid  further noted that people do not want the project and urged the people to state their negative position to the proposed project.

Community leader Bernabe  Dekdeken of  Barangay Agawa, Besao  was doubtful of the  surface  studies  conducted by Philcarbon  on  the distance of  water springs from the proposed turbine and stated his negative stand on proposed windfarm.

In the midst of  environmental  questions on the proposed windfarm,  Engr  Ronaldo  Angeles of the  Department of  Energy said “there is yet no detailed study on wind energy” in the  country. With the full blown implementation of the  Renewable Energy  Act of 2008, there are 33 wind-based  energy projects  in the Philippines  currently on their exploration stage. Should the Sagada-Besao windfarm proceed, this shall be the first windfarm built on a watershed in the  country.

It shall be  recalled that Philcarbon  assured the public  during the May consultation 2012 that they shall undergo an environmental impact assessment, a requirement before  the  Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) shall be issued by the Department of  Environment and Natural Resources.

An  ECC was  issued November  12,  2012 to Philcarbon by the  Environmental  Management  Bureau detailing the conditions and requirements  of  conducting the  proposed  windfarm based on the environmental impact  assessment  submitted  by Philcarbon and instructed  further submission of  permits  prior to operation and conduct of monitoring  activities during the operational stage.

Angeles said the necessary permit  and clearances  as those needed from the concerned local governments units and  agencies  as the DENR, including a land use permit and an FPIC from the NCIP has to be  submitted to  DOE before  any construction shall be done.

The granting of the service contract by DOE to Philcarbon is not an automatic permit  to start operations, Angeles  said. He also told the audience that if the people do not  want the project as manifested in a no-consent certification then the DOE cannot issue a notice to construct said project.

There are 10 proposed turbines spanning  4-5 kilometers along the Langsayan-Pilaw Ridge covering a 648  hectare application to DOE, and an 8 kilometer transmission  route from the ridge to sitio Pegew  to connect to the national electrical grid.

The first community assembly validated  findings  of  the field based investigations taking note of the extent of the ancestral domain and the indigenous peoples  who are going to be affected  including the  proposed sites.

Negotiation and  a memorandum of agreement follows should an FPIC be granted, otherwise, no MOA shall be done. # nordis.net