Protest mars inauguration of Pagudpud windmill farm

Protesters from Barangay Malasin, Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

Lei Adriano

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte—A silent protest by about 15 families affected by alleged intrusive transmission lines put up by the Ayala-led North Luzon Renewable Energy Corporation marred the November 19 inauguration of the 81-megawatt Pagudpud wind farm.

On board a white van with streamers decrying constitutional right abuses, the family of Joseph Baloaloa along with other families including children from Brgy. Malasin of neighboring Bangui town went to the NLREC main station at Brgy. Caparispisan  herein  Pagudpud as they held each other’s arms shouting for help from the government to mediate the possible relocation of some NLREC’s towers passing through their residential houses.

“Tulongan niyo kami. Nilabag ang aming karapatan. Huwag niyo kaming patayin. Ilayo kami sa kaba at alisin ang tower malapit sa bubong ng aming bahay,” the protesters shouted as they were prevented by NLREC security personnel from getting inside the project site while there was a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing of one of the 27 wind turbines led by St. Jude Parish priest Franklin Gorospe.

The ceremony had Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos as well as mayors, vice mayors, barangay officials and main proponents of the wind project.

In her speech, Ms. Marcos reiterated the importance of corporate social responsibility of large companies for their host communities.

Citing a family of protesters at the bottom of the hill where she passed by on her way up to the project site, Ms. Marcos said the issue of transmission lines and cables passing through their homes is a “simple and basic problem we can address together.”

“Perhaps, it’s time that we realize that even large companies like Ayala group finally belong to the local community and that no large project—national or international it maybe can take off without local support. I hope you recognize the community in which you live and you will work,” Ms. Marcos told representatives of the UPC Renewables, Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure (PINAI) and Ayala Corporation Energy Holdings Inc. who were present at the inauguration. 

These three giant companies joined together to develop wind projects here through the NLREC as their joint venture company.

As Ilocos Norte continue to lead the way of renewable energy in Southeast Asia, Mr. Marcos who flew in by a helicopter to the project site has lauded investors for taking relevant steps towards easing expected backlog of electricity by 2015.

He likewise reiterated his sister’s call saying, “I hope you get the message clear. Those in the private sector should recognize the sacrifices of the local residents.”

In response, John Eric Francia, AC Energy Holdings Inc. president, has assured the Marcoses and Ilocos Norte residents that they will take into consideration the constructive feedback.

“As one of the key shareholders in this project, I can assure you that we will take all these to heart and we will ensure that we will be partnering truly to the local community here and moving forward. This is one of the challenges that we make sure we will successful in,” Mr. Francia said.

Some of the 27 wind turbines with a full capacity of 3 MW each are now connected to the grid, producing clean energy source of electricity. 

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Launched last September 2013 with US$220 million dollar investment portfolio, the 27 wind turbines are now fully energized and connected to the grid, generating at least 3 megawatts each.

Aside from the 27 wind turbines, the NLREC plans to expand more by installing more 70-MW as next phase of the project at the same site.

Senator Bongbong Marcos, UPC Renewables chairperson Brian Caffyn, and AC Energy Holdings Inc. President John Eric Francia inspect the facility of the 81-MW wind farm in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. 

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