Sagada town windfarm project suffers setback

Folks read the incident as a sign of protest against the proposed windfarm. (Photo by Steve Rogers) 

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Efforts of a multinational company to build a windfarm here suffered setback when a wind anemometer installed atop Malebelba mountain was wrecked by unidentified persons early Wednesday morning.

The anemometer was set after Philcarbon announced plans to build 10 wind turbines generating a 15-megawatt energy on a proposed wind farm atop Pilaw-Langsayan ridge between the boundaries of Besao and Sagada.

SPO3 Bonifacio Agpad noted the 100 meter high steel device fell breaking the tower.

Investigation conducted disclosed three installed wires that supported the devise measuring 120 to 160 meters was intentionally removed by unidentified person with damage placed at P1.5 million.

The anemometer was discovered unfunctional when Philcarbon office in Manila came to know it registered no wind frequency as per the company’s monitoring data.

The anemometer was installed January this year to note  wind velocity along the ridge spanning Pilaw-Langsayan peaks.  

The Pilaw ridge is located close to Malebelba where the anemometer was installed.

The Manila-based renewable energy company is now on its free prior and informed consent (FPIC) stage with affected folks from northern and central Sagada and central and the eastern part of Besao.  

The process  facilitated by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples  registered  hesitant to negative position among affected people as noted in community assemblies done early this year.