By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Following the
denial of a resolution of endorsement for the establishment of a 4.9 megawatt
solar farm in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, the project proponent, Energy Development
Corporation has finally issued a letter of apology, asking members of the
Ilocos Norte board for a “second chance”.
On behalf of the EDC’s board
of directors, management and staff, Reman Chua, who is also the current project
manager of the Burgos wind project said the company takes full responsibility for
the “honest mistake” and it was never intended as a sign of disrespect to the
provincial lawmakers.
According to Mr. Chua, “The
omission was partly based on the erroneous understanding of Sec. 56 of the
Local Government Code of the Philippines by our project development team that
local government procedure mandating that ordinances and resolutions enacted by
the Sangguniang Bayan of Burgos are to be reviewed by the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan will constitute compliance with the requisite SP endorsement.”
“We respectfully submit that
the foregoing was never intentional. Thus, we ask for your understanding that
our actions shall not be construed as a sign of disrespect to the Ilocos Norte
government and its people nor a reflection of our corporate values and
practices,” he told lawmakers present during the resumption of the SP’s regular
session on April 6 as he read the letter addressed to the body.
On March 9, the board passed a resolution condemning the act of
the EDC in constructing and putting into operation its Burgos solar
project without first securing endorsement from the provincial government.
Mr. Chua assured EDC has
already taken steps to ensure that a similar incident will not be repeated.
“We realized that we need to
regain your trust as partner in progress of the province and as a responsible
member of the community that has genuine and meaningful Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) practices. We will work diligently to do this both with
our existing project as well with the projects that we hope to pursue in the
future with your valuable prior consent and endorsement,” said in the EDC
letter signed by Richard B. Tantoco, president of EDC along with the executive
vice president, members of the EDC board and project manager of the solar
project.
For his part, Sangguniang
Panlalawigan member Vicentito “Toto” M. Lazo said that EDC, as one of the
investors of the province should ensure proper and fair distribution of wealth
and help uplift the living conditions of host communities as part of their CSR.
As part of the amended
version of the CSR ordinance of the province, any form of material assistance
projects such as construction of farm-to-market roads, farm inputs and chairs
can now be accepted including cash and other livelihood projects for
expatriated overseas Filipino workers and social service aid to indigents and
victims of typhoon or natural disasters.
To ensure strict compliance
to the said local ordinance, the SP also passed a related ordinance requiring
project proponents and investors of Ilocos Norte to submit and sign a
memorandum of agreement with the Ilocos Norte government, incorporating therein
their specific plans and projects including a budget estimate pertaining to
their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
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