Olongapo solar farm expansion thumbed down by barangay

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — A proposal to build Phase 2 of the Olongapo Solar Power Project by AP Renewable Energy Corp. (APREC) has received strong opposition from Barangay Sta. Rita, where the 179.25-megawatt (MW) solar farm is planned to be built.

In a resolution passed by the Sangguniang Barangay on December 1, members of the council rejected APREC’s P7.6-billion bid for a large-scale solar facility on Mount Balimpuyo, a ridge straddling the densely populated areas of Sta. Rita and the nearby villages of Old Cabalan and Gordon Heights.

The resolution, which was received at the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Olongapo on December 8, said the council has identified several potential adverse effects of the project “after careful assessment and consultation with residents and concerned stakeholders.”

“The majority of the people of Barangay Sta. Rita and Olongapo have expressed their objection and opposition to the said project through community consultations, petitions, and public forums,” it pointed out.

 The negative factors the council mentioned are: possible environmental degradation and destruction of natural resources; risk of flooding, soil erosion, and alteration of natural drainage systems; negative impact on agricultural lands and food security; potential health and safety hazards to nearby residents; and disruption of community livelihood and residential areas.

The council also resolved to urge the city government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy and other regulatory agencies “to reconsider, review and deny any application or permit for the said project.

APREC, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Renewables Inc., plans to build the 228.86-hectare expansion farm to complement its 221-MW solar project in Barangay New Cabalan, which started last year. The proposed Phase 2 is set to start April 2026, with completion expected by the third quarter of 2027 and start of commercial operations in 2028.

Public scoping for the project was held by the DENR on November 21 in Sta. Rita for the proponents to present the project and to gather initial concerns, issues and other relevant information from the community.

However, project proponents left a lot of questions unanswered during the dialogue, thus firming residents’ doubts about its viability and benefits, said Olongapo City councilor Vic-Vic Magsaysay.

“It was clear that residents don’t want Phase 2 to be located at Mt. Balimpuyo, and they want the company to build the project in another place,” Magsaysay revealed on social media after the scoping.

Magsaysay, chairman of the Committee on Urban Poor, Labor and Employment, and Economic Zone and Freeport Concerns, noted that the proposed project would occupy most part of Balimpuyo, which in turn covers most part of Sta. Rita, the largest and most populous barangay in Olongapo. 

Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Isay Hernandez said in an interview over Brigada News FM radio on December 5 echoed residents’ fears about environmental harm. She said a project ins such a huge area “would only mean huge environmental risks.”

Gerardo Cruz, chairman of the Batang ‘Gapo People’s Organization Inc., said it is important for APREC to engage with the local community and address their concerns to ensure a smooth project implementation.

He noted, however, that APREC representatives had dodged important questions on mitigation measures like revegetation, drainage management and erosion control during the scoping, and instead said they would provide answers at another time. 

Cruz said residents also wanted to know about safety plans during emergencies, steps to minimize construction noise, access to existing farms in the project site and direct project benefits for Olongapeños. 

In a statement, Aboitiz acknowledged residents’ concerns about tree cutting and potential flooding but clarified that the project is still in its initial phase and no trees have been cut.

The company added that its studies indicate Phase 2 will not add water to the Olongapo River and that it is implementing measures to ensure the safety of the site and nearby communities.

Aboitiz also noted that no electricity generated from the solar farm will be supplied directly to Olongapo City.