DENR allows cutting of 1,281 indigenous trees to give way to solar power project

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—About 1,281 indigenous trees including 52 saplings are going to be sacrificed to give way for the installation of a solar energy project at Brgy. Bimmanga, Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

The power project covers about 60 hectares of timberland.

Among the trees marked to be cut include agoho, Ipil-ipil, Auricaliformis, talisay, camachile, mango, lanete, kakawate, cashew, tamarind, duhat and siniguelas with a total volume of 1,166.3 cubic meters.

The Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources however recommended that the 1,281 trees to be cut upon approval of the DENR regional director be replaced with a total of 128,100, or a ratio of 1:100 plantable seedlings as a replacement of every tree cut and these shall be planted in an urban forest located in Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

This was confirmed by provincial environment and natural resources officer Juan delos Reyes following a request of MIRAE Asia Energy Corporation, the proponent of the 20-megawatt Currimao solar project, which is now under the administration and control of Soleq Philippines Inc., another business entity with interest on solar power projects in Asia.

Based on the company website, Soleq is backed by Equis Funds Group, a leading private equity group focused on energy and infrastructure in Asia.

In a committee hearing held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Craig Marsh, Soleq Inc. director, has sought the endorsement of the Ilocos Norte board for the solar project to finally take off.

In November 2012, a Korean power firm, Mirae Asia Energy Corporation expressed interest to develop a 20-megawatt solar farm in the area but due to apparent financial setback, Mirae sold its shares to Soleq, which is now pushing hard for the project.

Paving the way for the installation of the solar project in Currimao town, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office (PENRO) earlier organized a team to conduct an inventory at the site particularly on the proposed locations of the solar panel arrays, panel array buffer and transmission line right of way within the approved Forest Land use Agreement (FLAg) area.

On August 27, 2014, the FLAg No. 04-2014 was granted by the DENR to the Ilocos Norte government represented by Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos for the solar project development in a forest land cover of Brgys. Bimmanga and Salindeg-Paguludan in Currimao for a period of 25 years and which can be renewed for another 25 years.

Based on the six-page lease agreement, the Ilocos Norte government shall submit within six months, upon signing of the said agreement, a Comprehensive Development and Management Plan (CMDP) for the FLAg area, subject for approval by the review committee.

As specified in the CMDP, the solar energy project shall ensure the protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources in the area and it should benefit among others the host community.

Presidential Decree No. 705, otherwise known as the “Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines” authorizes the special use of forestlands for beneficial purposes which do not impair the forest resources.

After conducting a series of evaluation and assessment, the establishment of the solar energy farm in the barren sand dunes of Currimao town near a forest park of fully-grown trees has been found technically and financially feasible.

SP member Joel Garcia, in the provincial board’s committee on environment chairperson, said after the hearing that the SP is set to pass an endorsement resolution in favor of the solar project installation pending submission of the company’s detailed list of their corporate social responsibility projects.

“We remain very committed to deliver the CSR projects aligned to the provincial government programs and we look forward to a long term partnership with you,” Marsh told members of the Ilocos Norte board.