SPECIAL REPORT: Tribal leaders to withhold support for Pulangui V

By Carrell C. Magno and Laurie Ailynne M. Benito
Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace
(via Bukidnon News with permission from VERA Files)

Leaders of indigenous communities in Bukidnon have refused to engage
in any discussion over the planned construction of the Pulangui V
Hydroelectric Project (HEP), until dam proponents submit a cultural
impact assessment that will detail the damage the dam will cause the
tribes.

The dam, which is expected to generate 300 megawatts into the Mindanao
grid, and 1,256 gigawatt hours of cheap renewable energy nationwide,
is touted to provide more than half the projected power shortage in
Mindanao by 2014. Since it is renewable energy, Pulangui V HEP will
generate very cheap power.

Last July, the project got the go signal from the Regional Development
Council of Region 10, which includes Bukidnon. Dam proponents,
however, were told to update their feasibility studies and secure
clearances from concerned government agencies such as the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Department of Natural
Resources.

PH to use more renewable energy – DOE USec

MAKATI CITY (Bukidnon News Dispatch/ 28 Sept) — “The Philippines is indeed
abundant with renewable energy resources.”

This was stressed by Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr to regional
reporters during the Media Training Program on Energy held at Asian
Institute of Management (AIM) Conference Center in Makati City, Sept.
26.

Layug added that expanding the use of renewable energy resources (RE)
is a key thrust of the Energy Reform Agenda (ERA) of the Department of
Energy (DOE).