By Gina
Dizon
SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Vice Mayor
and mayoral candidate Richard Yodong wants the proposed
windfarm in this tourist town to undergo geologic tests to
determine effects of the wind turbines vis a vis water tables so local
folks could be fully appraised of the matter before it is implemented.
Yodong bared this in a
press conference hosted by the Montanosa Press Club in the capital town of
Bontoc.
The Manila based-
Philcarbon wants to construct the windfarm.
Residents have been
asking how the project would affect
springs and watersheds.
Hundreds of
households here in the central and northern barangays of
Sagada and eastern and central Besao source their
domestic and irrigation water from water springs cradled by the
Pilaw-Langsayan ridge where locates the proposed site to build the
windfarm.
At least 10 wind
turbines measuring 80 feet are projected to be installed along the ridge with
an area of 20 meters by 20 meters and rotor blades measuring some 70
meters in length.
No studies have been
presented to the public by Philcarbon even as hydrology tests
are being asked by some residents of whether this has been
conducted or not.
During the press conference, Gwen Longid, speaking
for Katribu nominee Beverly Longid said free prior and informed
consent(FPIC) is an essential requirement in the proposed
windfarm project.
Longid noted that
FPIC process in its entirety should be fully facilitated to let people be
consulted and informed on what the project is all about and thus have an
informed decision on whether the project proceed or not.
Longid said the
conduct of FPIC process is a major call of KATRIBU in its platform
and program to let indigenous peoples be consulted and informed on
projects being proposed and implemented in their own territories.
Meantime,
mayoral candidate Geraldo Lamaton of Barlig said he wants the watersheds
of Barlig to stay protected taking note of the fact that Barlig
has profuse supply of water due to its mossy forests.
Lamaton said
Barlig also supplies the capital town of adjacent Bontoc with water
and noted that pipes leading to Bontoc are leaking and need maintenance.
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