Lawmaker calls for probe of wind energy farm project in Rizal

FRAGILE ROCKS Aerial shots taken with a drone show workers of Rizal Wind Energy Corp. digging into fragile rock formations at Masungi Karst Conservation Area in Tanay, Rizal. Singapore-based Vena Energy,RWEC’s mother company, said it had stopped diggings as early as November last year. (File photo dated Feb. 17, 2024 courtesy of MASUNGI GEORESERVE FOUNDATION)

MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Minority Leader and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Party-list Representative France Castro has condemned the drilling in Masungi Georeserve in Tanay, Rizal.

Castro emphasized on Sunday the urgent need to protect the area and its species from environmental destruction.

“The drilling inside the Masungi Karst Conservation Area for the planned wind energy farm poses a severe threat to the environment, particularly endangering the local bird and bat species, as well as the delicate ecosystem of the area,” the lawmaker said in a statement.

“We call for the immediate stop and relocation of this project by the Rizal Wind Energy Corp. (RWEC), whose parent company, Singapore-based Vena Energy, would wreak havoc on our fragile ecology and spell dangerous floods like those experienced now in Mindanao,” she warned.

Castro also urged government to revoke all permits for the wind energy project within Masungi Georeserve, joining the call of its caretakers.

“Congress should also investigate this latest encroachment in the protected area as when portions of it are destroyed, then it would take thousands of years to restore,” she said.

“Mukhang gigil na gigil talagang mapasok ng mga negosyante ang Masungi Georeserve at gagamitin ang lahat ng palusot para pagkakitaan ang mga yaman nito na walang pakundangan sa kalikasan,” the lawmaker observed.

(It looks like businessmen are quite eager to enter Masungi Georeserve and use all excuses to make money out of its wealth, without any consideration to nature.)

The ACT Teachers Partylist representative also called for a thorough review of the impact of the project on habitat and wildlife.

Last week, Masungi Georeserve Foundation disclosed RWEC planned to build 12 wind turbines in the site.