Bomas-ang Urges Sagada, Besao Leaders To Back Windmill Farm Project

 

SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE- Engr. Rufino Bomas-ang urged community leaders in Sagada and Besao, Mountain Province to support the proposed windmill farm along Pilao- Langsayan Ridge on the boundary of the two towns, during two separate public consultations with renewable energy firm PhilCarbon on March 2, 2013.

“I believe in the project,” stressed PhilCarbon’s chairman, who is a native of Besao and an alumnus of St. Mary’s School (SMS) of Sagada in his talk at the Besao Multi-purpose Coop Building during the town’s Ubaya Festival.  Later the same day, he reiterated the same conviction during another dialogue with the elders of Sagada at the St. Joseph Inn. 

During the consultations, locals raised concerns on possible water supply diminishing, farm animal harm, health problems, and environmental hazards. Among the attendees were Gueday Barangay Captain Paul Casiwan, retired teacher Soledad Belingon,, and Besao Vice Mayor Harry Baliaga.  Also in attendance were Doctor Leoncio Carlin, a native Sagadian and former Medical Director of St. Luke’s Hospital who is currently based in Ohio, USA, and Professor Andrew Bacdayan, another native Sagadian with a Master’s degree in forestry and a Ph.D in economics and is currently a retired professor based in Texas, USA. Both Dr. Carlin and Professor Bacdayan expressed support for the wind farm. 

In response to the various concerns raised, Bomas-ang talked about the company’s responsibilities prescribed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and community benefits that PhilCarbon is providing over and above what the law requires.

He denied environmental, agricultural, and health threats saying windmills are safe as evaluated by international standards.

“Nu dati ay um-a, um-a met laeng (crop farms will still be crop farms even with the windmills),” responded Bomas-ang when asked if wind turbine blades would scare cows away.

Bomas-ang also showed a video clip of windmills in other countries along the shoreline and on top of mountains to give the locals a better picture of windmills.

Ruth Yu- Owen, President of PhilCarbon, explained to the locals the distribution of taxes and other benefits as mandated by laws. 

 “We are here to help and we are here with you,” said Owen after revealing that PhilCarbon has decided to allot a community fund- on top of the royalties- that will go directly to the host communities.

In an interview, Bomas-ang lamented the fact that a group is spreading misinformation about and campaigning against the project.

“Our elders came to be clarified on the various allegations being made by this group. With simple science and common sense, we hope we have  shown that these are baseless claims,” said Bomas-ang.

He also announced that PhilCarbon is sponsoring another batch of locals to see the Bangui, Ilocos Norte windmill farm to help them better understand the project.

ABOUT US AND THE PROJECT:

The Sagada-Besao Wind Farm is a government project- the Pilao-Langsayan Ridge being a priority due to its local wind regime. A study conducted by the Department of Energy on the nationwide wind patterns claims that the Pilao-Langsayan Ridge is a wind path, as with that of Bangui, Ilocos Norte. The Department of Energy has therefore granted PhilCarbon a contract to develop the proposed Sagada-Besao Wind Power Project.

PhilCarbon (www.philcarbon.com) is a Philippine renewable energy company specializing in the development of clean sources of power from natural resources such as wind, hydro, bio-mass and geothermal. Aiming for a Philippines that is free of pollution and self-sufficient, this developer, with the help of the Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer seeks for an opportunity from the locals of putting up a wind farm on the mountain ridges bordering Sagada and Besao.

The setting up of 10 wind turbines will generate a 15MW capacity that can fuel the homes, farms, and businesses of the locals. The prospect of producing a clean, renewable energy source for the community is definitely a great initiative. Wind power, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, literally renewable, widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, and uses little land. Feasibility studies and other environmental assessments are taking place to ensure that no natural resources are harmed during the construction and installation as well as during the operation of these turbines.