By Nimfa L. Estrellado A Cease and Desist Order has been issued, and a cordon placed around the project sites of Alternergy Tanay Wind Corp...
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| A Cease and Desist Order has been issued, and a cordon placed around the project sites of Alternergy Tanay Wind Corporation due to numerous administrative and legal violations discovered by the municipal government. (Infanta LGU) |
INFANTA, Quezon – Operations for the Tanay Wind Power Project have recently come to a complete halt this Wednesday, following the discovery of numerous violations by the local government of Infanta. A formal Cease and Desist Order was issued, and a physical cordon was placed around the project sites of Alternergy Tanay Wind Corporation and its contractors, physically restricting all access.
The measure was carried out under the stern directive of Infanta Mayor LA Ruanto, with the Municipal Legal Office leading the enforcement alongside the Task Force Disiplina and other authorities. The formal order, signed by Administrator and OIC-Municipal Legal Officer Atty. Rinchel E. Aurellana, was officially served in-person to the involved companies.
The suspension, effective today, extends to all affiliated companies involved as contractors in the wind farm’s development. The order explicitly directed the immediate halt of operations for all parties, prompted by a municipal investigation that uncovered numerous and significant administrative and legal violations.
The Municipal Legal Office's findings indicated multiple instances of non-compliance with legal and environmental protocols, which led to the construction being stopped. Alternergy was found to be operating without a required business permit, a foundational document for all commercial operations within the municipality.
The company also failed to secure necessary clearances from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to carry out changes on public highways within the town. This was in addition to lacking crucial permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to legally cut down trees.
Further infractions included the unauthorized removal of the Brgy. Comon arch, which occurred without any prior local government coordination. The company was also found to have failed to obtain necessary clearances and a land conversion permit to build a private logistical road intended to connect Brgy. Ingas to Brgy. Silangan.
An unauthorized impounding area, likely for construction vehicles and materials, was also discovered to be operating in Brgy. Silangan without the required municipal permits. In addition, other violations cited a breach of various conditions outlined in the Certificate of No Objections, a crucial local document issued for several barangays.
There was also a failure to submit necessary documentation for its foreign workers, including work permits. Additionally, repeated lapses in communicating with the local government regarding operational disruptions were noted, which have been a source of community inconvenience.
In response, Alternergy Tanay Wind Corporation and its associated companies have been formally summoned. They have been ordered to appear before the office of the administrator on September 24, 2025, to face the allegations and provide an official explanation for the violations.
The current directive follows a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in 2024 between the local government, then led by Mayor Grace America, and Alternergy Tanay Wind Corp. The agreement permitted the use of the Infanta Municipal Port for the delivery of equipment for the wind mill in Tanay.
The corporation also made a P3 million donation, which was placed into the LGU's Trust Fund as part of the agreement. The MOA further stipulated commitments to Corporate Social Responsibility projects, including the rehabilitation of the port facilities and providing financial compensation for any damages or obstructions caused by the project's construction.
The order to halt and cordon off the project sites aligns with Mayor Ruanto’s strict policy that all businesses operating within Infanta must comply with legal requirements, protect the environment, and ensure the welfare of the citizens. The action underscores the local government's commitment to strict regulatory enforcement.
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