By Nimfa L. Estrellado In one of their protest rallies, members of SBBN unite to save Mount Banahaw, a revered and ecologically vital landma...
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| In one of their protest rallies, members of SBBN unite to save Mount Banahaw, a revered and ecologically vital landmark that is a major watershed for both Laguna and Quezon provinces. (SBBN) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Mount Banahaw, a vital watershed for the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, and a sacred site for pilgrims and mystics, is at the center of a new environmental controversy due to the proposed construction of a 247 MW wind power project. In a public statement, the opposition, led by the Save Bundok Banahaw Network (SBBN), has argued that the project's planned location poses significant threats to the mountain's fragile environment, rich culture, and overall safety.
The long-term project, spearheaded by GigaWind4, Inc., a subsidiary of ACEN Corporation under the Ayala Group, is estimated to cost ₱24.5 billion with a planned commissioning year of 2032. As an Environmentally Critical Project (ECP), it is required to undergo a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by the DENR to evaluate its potential effects on the surroundings.
A document dated June 1, 2025, serves as a formal request for a Public Scoping for the proposed Banahaw Wind Power Project in Sariaya and Tayabas, Quezon. The letter, addressed to Mr. Jose Alberto S. Abaya, OIC of the Clearance and Permitting Division, from OIC Regional Director Robert Angelo M. Metin of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) CALABARZON, confirms that GigaWind4, Inc. is proposing the development of the 247 MW wind power project as part of a national push for clean energy and climate change mitigation.
This request indicates a key step in the regulatory process, where the proponent and the government agency are moving forward with required environmental assessments. The document also states that GigaWind4, Inc. has already conducted preliminary activities, including dialogues, public hearings, and the distribution of flyers, as part of their Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) efforts.
The project is planned to cover approximately 4,567 hectares across 10 barangays within the municipalities of Sariaya and Tayabas, a significant portion of which includes areas surrounding the protected landscape. It calls for the construction of 38 wind turbines (WTGs), each with massive 171-meter blades, with 28 of them situated within a three-kilometer radius of the Mt. Banahaw–San Cristobal Protected Landscape.
Critics have raised several key concerns regarding the project's potential impacts on both the natural and human communities, they point to Republic Act No. 9847, which legally designates the site as a protected landscape, creating a fundamental contradiction with the planned development. With this, they warn that the massive scale of the development, which would require extensive tree-cutting and ground excavation, could endanger the mountain's unique biodiversity, including endemic plants and animals.
The project poses a direct threat to the ongoing Philippine Eagle reintroduction program, a vital conservation effort, and raises significant safety concerns due to Mount Banahaw being an active volcano. Extensive construction could trigger landslides and soil erosion, a risk similar to what has been observed in Pililla, Rizal, and in quarrying sites in Sariaya.
Beyond environmental and safety risks, the project has drawn significant cultural opposition as Mount Banahaw is considered a sacred site for pilgrims and spiritual groups. The mountain is believed to be the "New Jerusalem" or "Holy Land," and its spiritual powers draw pilgrims year-round to seek healing, purification, and divine guidance, especially during Holy Week.
Its rich forests and rivers are a vital watershed for millions of residents, while its fertile land provides for farming and grazing, which is a primary livelihood for the community. Myths and stories of visions and miracles have sprung forth from Banahaw for many years, as it is widely believed that those who bathe in the water from its springs will have good fortune and, in some cases, the ability to see their future.
Many caves that run deep into the rock are also said to hold their own kind of spiritual power, according to local lore, the Cave of Judgement is a spot to head to for a visceral reminder of one's past sins. It is believed that if a person passes through the narrow, winding cave without getting a single scratch, they are pure of heart. However, if they emerge with scratches and bruises, it is a sign of their many sins.
For many years, the Rizalista cult has resided at the foot of Banahaw, a unique group that holds folk Catholic beliefs regarding the national hero, Jose Rizal, whom they revere as God. The Rizalista temples found in the villages around the mountain are colorful monuments to their beliefs and serve as a physical reminder of the mountain's spiritual power.
At an impressive 2,170 meters, Mount Banahaw is the region's tallest mountain and a popular destination for climbers. Those who hike and climb its challenging trails, known for their stunning views, are always encouraged to respect the natural environment and not litter, preserving its pristine beauty for future generations.
The network has publicly called the project a form of "development aggression," claiming it is not a genuine response to the needs of ordinary citizens. The opposition asserts that the project, along with similar initiatives like quarrying sites in Sariaya, serves primarily to benefit "landlords and capitalist developers" while causing widespread environmental damage and topographical changes to the landscape.
The network alleges that the Ayala Group has a history of dispossessing farmers, citing the ongoing dispute in Lupang Tartaria, Silang, Cavite, where an Ayala partnership has allegedly used armed private guards to intimidate farmers, burn equipment, and illegally fence off land. Following a public campaign, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR announced the postponement of a scheduled Public Scoping for the project, as the opposition fears that Mount Banahaw residents could face similar harassment.
The meeting, which was originally set for August 28, 2025, at the Casa Comunidad de Tayabas, has been deferred until further notice. An official notice from the EMB, issued on August 26, 2025, advised the proponent to coordinate with the Provincial Government of Quezon to address matters related to the project.
Rooted in the principle of Intergenerational Equity, the opposition's stance asserts that the state has a legal and moral duty to protect natural resources for both current and future generations. The project's future now hinges on further discussions, leaving stakeholders anxiously awaiting a new date for the event.
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