New DENR chief urged to reject Laguna floating solar project
New Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla — File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Fisherfolk and environmental advocates urged new Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla to reject the floating solar power project in Laguna, noting that it has “adverse impact on the livelihood of more than 8,000 small fisherfolk and coastal residents.”
In a statement on Saturday, environmental network Save Laguna Lake Movement (SLLM) called on Lotilla to thoroughly evaluate the potential impacts of the project on the socio-economic and environmental rights of affected coastal communities.
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“There is widespread opposition from affected fishermen and residents to the imminent floating solar project that will cover traditional fishing grounds. The new DENR secretary should seriously consider the said project and thoroughly scrutinize its environmental impact statement,” Chris Baysa, convener of SLLM, said in a mix of Filipino and English.
Baysa added that they are planning to submit a letter to the new leadership of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to call for a dialogue so that they can present the grounds of their objection to the project.
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SLLM noted that the said project will cover around 2,000 hectares of the country’s largest inland brackish lake in its southern and eastern areas, such as Calamba, Cabuyao, Santa Rosa, Bay, and Victoria, in Laguna province.
It also mentioned the companies involved in the floating solar project, such as the Ayala-led ACEN Corp., “which has already signed an agreement with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) to lease 800 hectares of the lake for the project.”
Meanwhile, fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), which is also among the conveners of SLLM, said they will continue to be vigilant on Lotilla’s programs in environmental protection and climate change mitigation.
“The new DENR chief should revamp the policies of the DENR into a people-oriented and rights-based approach on environmental protection and climate change adaptation,” Pamalakaya National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said.
Lotilla would replace Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, who was among the Cabinet members who submitted a courtesy resignation upon the directive of President Bongbong Marcos./jpv
