Naga City – The Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) declared its opposition to the proposed Rangas River Mini Hydroelectric Project set to be built in the protected area of Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP) by Clean N Green Energy Solutions, Inc. In a position paper dated February 22, 2017, the water district stated its objection on several grounds, foremost is the threat to the environment particularly to the endemic species within the MINP if the hydro power plant pushes through.

Corollary, the water district upholds the reality of the importance of MINP as a watershed area to ensure the sustainability and development of the water supply industry being a potent partner for economic growth not only for the present but more so for the future generations.

The MNWD, partner agencies, institutions and other major stakeholders such as the towns and the City of Naga who are dependent on the MINP’s ecosystem, believe that economic growth can be achieved through non-destructive use of natural resources and eco-tourism.

It is a fact that MNWD, since 1993, has been undertaking rehabilitation, maintenance, and protection of its 317 hectares Anayan-Rumangrap watershed in Barangay Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur and the 356 hectares Kalinisan-Nabuntulan watershed in Barangay Panicuason, this city. To support the said mini hydro project would be in dissonance to its advocacy of environment protection and conservation.

Such efforts to rehabilitate, maintain, and protect the MINP has become a holistic approach for the MNWD. The courses of action involving the six municipalities and one city, concerned agencies and other stakeholders to ensure its integrity as the last frontier for bio-diversity conservation in the province of Camarines Sur has been its strategic direction.

The position paper also cited Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations DAO 2008-26, Sec. 20 which stated the following acts as prohibited within protected areas: Use of any motorized equipment without a permit from the management board; Damaging and leaving roads and trails in a damage condition; Constructing or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosure, conducting any business enterprise without a permit.

Furthermore, Rule 16 of the NIPAS Act’s Revised Implementing Rules and Regulation states that “protected areas, except strict nature reserves and natural parks, may be subjected to exploration only for the purpose of gathering information on energy resources and only if such activity is carried out with the least damage to surrounding areas. Survey shall be conducted only in accordance with a program approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the result of such surveys shall be made available to the public and submitted to the President for recommendation to Congress. Any exploration and utilization of energy resources found within NIPAS areas shall be allowed only through a law pass by the Congress.”

Rule 16.4 also states “the development, utilization, and operation of non-extractive renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or tidal and not more than three (3) megawatts capacity shall be allowed in protected areas.”

Clean N Green Energy Solutions, Inc. the company proposing to construct the mini hydro power plant is operating with an expired Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the project. Their ECC was issued on November 11, 2009 and expired last November 11, 2014.

The project involving road construction, cutting of trees, and building of other related structures to operate the mini hydro power plant within the strict protection zone of the MINP are more reasons for the objection of the MNWD to the project.

The position paper of the MNWD will be sent to DENR Secretary Gina Lopez for review and reassessment.