Calbayog city: The construction of five wind turbines initially planned within the Calbayog Pan-as Hayiban Protected Landscape (CPHPL) in Calbayog City, Samar, has been canceled, a move officials and environmental advocates described as a significant step in safeguarding the city's watershed and biodiversity.
According to Philippines News Agency, the CPHPL, also known as the Calbayog Watershed, is a critically protected area and a primary water source located near the boundary of Calbayog City in Samar and San Isidro, Northern Samar. In a news release, the city government said Vena Corporation confirmed the cancellation during the Sangguniang Panlungsod's regular session on February 24, 2025.
Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy stated that the decision is considered a major step in protecting the city's watershed and biodiversity, following months of advocacy from the Save Calbayog Rivers Foundation and civil society groups. Company representatives also presented an updated technical layout as part of their request for a Resolution of No Objection. Nichael Joseph Muncal, senior manager for project development, mentioned that the affected turbines would be relocated outside the protected landscape's boundaries.
The wind energy project, which will consist of 37 turbines across Calbayog City, has been cited for its national significance and potential to position the area as a renewable energy hub. However, concerns were raised over the proposed placement of several turbines within the strict protected zone of the CPHPL. Uy emphasized that while the city supports renewable energy initiatives, these must be pursued responsibly and anchored on scientific studies to ensure ecological stability.
Experts who attended the session, including university professor Phil Harold Mercurio, called for a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), hydrological mapping, and a biodiversity audit to safeguard community safety and environmental integrity. City Councilors expressed a unified stance that renewable energy development should proceed without undermining Calbayog's protected areas.
City officials stated that the cancellation reflects a balance between advancing renewable energy projects and preserving critical environmental resources. Last year, Vena Corporation announced its investment in the expansion of a 304-megawatt (MW) wind farm on the border of Northern Samar and Samar provinces. The project is an extension of the ongoing PHP19 billion, 206MW San Isidro Wind Project, a collaborative effort among Vena Energy, Vivant Energy, and Aboitiz Renewables.
