Bacolod: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) Environment Management Bureau (EMB) 6 (Western Visayas) is set to conduct public scoping and hearing sessions for three significant proposed projects in Negros Occidental next month. The initiatives include an oil palm plantation, a poultry farm expansion, and a solar power project, each poised to have substantial impacts on the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the public scoping for the PHP60 million oil palm plantation by Hacienda Asia Plantations, Inc. (HAPI) in Candoni will occur at the municipal covered gymnasium on July 3. Meanwhile, the poultry farm expansion project by Super Binhi Agri Ventures, Inc. in Sagay City will hold its session at Barangay Plaridel's covered court on July 4. These scoping activities are part of the early stage in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, where proponents will outline the proposed projects and gather issues, concerns, and relevant information to shape the environmental impact statement (EIS).
The EIA process anticipates the environmental effects of a development, and the EIS serves as the application for an environmental compliance certificate (ECC). "All interested parties, organizations, and agencies are encouraged to provide inputs during the public scoping and public review periods and provide comments to the proponents through their project coordinators," stated EMB-6.
Following a cease-and-desist order issued by EMB-6 to HAPI's quarry operations in Candoni last week, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed that the proponent assured compliance, specifically regarding the ECC. The proposed oil palm plantation spans 6,652 hectares, covering areas in the villages of Gatuslao and Agboy.
In Sagay City, the Super Binhi Poultry Farm plans to increase its production capacity from 90,000 to 150,000 chicken heads, aiming to boost profitability, meet market demand, and support the local economy. The expansion involves additional poultry housing facilities and infrastructure to accommodate the increased capacity.
Additionally, a public hearing for the PHP13.846 billion solar power project by Aboitiz Power's South Cleanergy, Inc. in Cadiz City is scheduled at Barangay Luna's covered court on July 10. The Luna Solar Power Project, with a capacity of 171.11 megawatts alternating current (MWac), will be developed on a 180-hectare land and is expected to begin construction in the first quarter of 2026, with commercial operations targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027.
The EMB-6 emphasized that the public hearing aims to facilitate an efficient exchange of information and views among stakeholders concerning the environmental impacts of the proposed solar power project, which is currently applying for an ECC.
