PENRO eyes special committee to monitor renewable energy projects

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) here has proposed the creation of a special committee meant to compel independent power producers (IPP) here to strictly comply to the forest land use agreement.

Like mining companies with a multipartite monitoring team, provincial environment and natural resources officer Juan delos Reyes said the forest land use agreement signed by these IPPs with the government should be strictly monitored.

“Now that these wind and solar farms are fully operational, we suggest that a special committee be formed to look at their compliance such as their rehabilitation efforts, soil conservation measures and their commitment to deliver what they have promised as stated in their Corporate Social Responsibility projects,” Mr. Delos Reyes said.

According to Mr. Delos Reyes, the special committee shall be composed of the different sectors and ensure that all governing laws and ordinances must be strictly followed.

During the construction of these wind and solar farms located in various parts of the province, the provincial government through an executive order signed by Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos mandated the creation of a multi-partite monitoring team to keep an eye on these projects.

This time, the special committee shall represent all concerned stakeholders including authorized representatives from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, Environment Management Bureau, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, host city or municipality, Association of Barangay Councils, project proponent, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, non-government organizations, business organizations, environmentalist groups and the academe.

An existing Provincial Ordinance No. 010-2014 also now requires project proponents to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Ilocos Norte government, incorporating therein their plans and projects pertaining to Corporate Social Responsibility.

In accordance with Republic Act No. 9513 also known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, it states that all energy explorations, development, utilization and renewable energy systems or operations shall comply with existing environment regulations as prescribed by the DENR and other concerned government agencies.

Also, the local government code of 1991 directs all local government units, within their territorial jurisdiction to enhance economic prosperity and the right of the people to balance ecology.

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