Ilocos norte: The province of Ilocos Norte is hosting another project on hybrid renewable energy under a lease agreement between the provincial government and Alba Renewables Philippines Corp. Spanning about 100 hectares of pasture land, known as the Dungon-Dungon Estate in Barangay Baruyen in Bangui town and Barangay Nagsurot in neighboring Burgos town, the government-owned lot covering a total land area of 256.88 hectares has been underutilized for a long time.
According to Philippines News Agency, the provincial government, through the Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Office (INvest Office), has identified government-owned properties eligible for lease, subject to feasibility, availability, and policy determination. The Dungon-Dungon Estate is included in this initiative, with an investor willing to develop the property if found feasible.
INvest Office head Ronaleigh Bueno mentioned that a ceremonial contract signing is set for Sept. 8 to formalize the agreement. The project is expected to create jobs, provide training for local residents, generate lease revenues for the provincial government, and extend assistance to host Barangays.
Bueno stated that the first hybrid plant in the province intends to have wind and solar generation capabilities, with a battery energy storage solution system leveraging the natural conditions of Bangui and Burgos, where existing solar and wind power farms are located. This initiative would strengthen Ilocos Norte's position as the country's renewable energy capital.
Recently, Ilocos Norte's Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) approved special incentives to attract more investors aligned with the province's top priority industries. This includes leasing underutilized government properties for up to five years to eligible developers and operators of economic zones and industrial estates. Eligible sectors include food and agriculture, tourism and creative industries, manufacturing, renewable energy, information technology and business process management, services, and mining and quarrying.
