Aeta group OKs green energy project

MANILA, Philippines – The Aetas of Pastolan in Subic Bay Freeport has approved the expansion of the green energy project being built by renewable energy (RE) firm Emerging Power Inc. in their ancestral land.

The Aeta group ratified the expansion of the wind and solar energy projects as part of their commitment to sustainable development. 

“We are proud that the Pastolan Aetas have been very supportive in achieving this milestone. This partnership is a shining example of how the preservation of heritage and sustainable development can work together without being compromised,” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia said.

SBMA, through EPI, will allocate $200 million for its renewable energy project totaling 150 megawatts (MW) in capacity.

The development will cover 800 hectares in Mount Santa Rita, a Pastolan ancestral land, in compliance with the Joint Management Agreement (JMA) that was signed and witnessed on October 10, 2013 by SBMA, the Pastolan Tribal Council, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

The JMA was forged to protect and preserve the rights of the Aetas, along with the implementation of socio-economic and cultural development programs by SBMA. 

Last October, EPI broke ground in its wind and solar power farm, which is eyed to be the biggest facility of its kind in Southeast Asia. 

Garcia assured the Pastolan Aetas will benefit from this expansion, same with the turnover of a P14.8-million cheque to the Aetas as payment for lease rentals by the locators within the ancestral domain.

“We are giving priority to the Aetas as far as hiring for the construction of more solar and wind power plants is concerned. The welfare of our indigenous brothers will always be important to us,” he said.

The expansion project is a collaborative action of SBMA and the Indigenous Peoples to uphold RA 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 by investing on RE projects.

This also serves as their support to the global commitment of the Philippines to reduce greenhouse gas emission at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference.

“With Subic as the first military base to be successfully converted into a Freeport zone, we are determined to play a vital role in the preservation of both cultural heritage and the environment with the installation of a major clean energy project in partnership with Indigenous Peoples,” Garcia said.