Bago city: The Environment Management Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environment in Negros Island Region (EMB-DENR NIR) is set to conduct a public hearing on April 1 for a proposed 150-megawatt wind power project by the Bago Negros Energy Corporation (BNEC). This initiative will span seven barangays within Bago City, Negros Occidental.

According to Philippines News Agency, the public hearing is intended to facilitate an exchange of information and views among the project proponent, EMB-DENR, relevant agencies, local government units, and stakeholders concerning the environmental impacts of the project, which is currently seeking an environmental compliance certificate. The event will commence at 9:30 a.m. at the covered court of Barangay Sampinit, one of the areas included in the PHP9.78-billion project.

The proposed project covers six additional barangays: Taloc, Calumangan, Busay, Lag-asan, Balingasag, and Napoles. BNEC's plan includes the construction and operation of 23 wind turbine generators (WTGs) with a total installed capacity of 150MW. This endeavor aims to bolster the power supply in the Visayas grid and support the national renewable energy roadmap.

In Barangay Napoles, where a substation is also planned, 10 WTGs will be installed. Busay will host seven WTGs, Calumangan three, and Taloc, Sampinit, and Lag-asan will each have one.

The project's executive summary identifies BNEC General Manager Yaowapa Klaonopparat as the proponent's representative. During a public scoping session held last October, stakeholders were provided with an overview of the project, and issues and concerns were gathered to outline the scope of work and terms of reference for the environmental impact statement (EIS) preparation.

A copy of BNEC's EIS report, prepared by the project consultant Green Development Sustainable Solutions Inc., is included in the EMB-DENR's notice of public hearing.