Facility to generate 80 megawatts: PDC pushes wind farm

CEBU, Philippines — Southern Cebu could soon become home to a new renewable energy facility after the Cebu Provincial Development Council (PDC) Executive Committee endorsed the development of an 80-megawatt wind farm in Alegria.

The endorsement came through a resolution approved by the PDC Executive Committee, which expressed no objection to the development of the Alegria Wind Power Project being undertaken by MC Power Solutions Inc.

Once completed, the renewable energy facility is expected to generate 80 megawatts of electricity and supply power to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Target completion: 2028

This proposed project is still in its pre-development stage, with several preliminary activities underway. These include wind resource assessment, land surveys, environmental studies, and community consultations.

As part of these preparations, MC Power has begun installing a meteorological mast in Barangay Guadalupe to gather data needed for wind resource assessment.

The project involves the construction of 10 wind turbine generators, each capable of producing eight megawatts of electricity.

The wind farm will cover portions of Barangays Guadalupe, Valencia, and Lepanto in the town of Alegria.

According to the company, detailed engineering design and civil works are expected to commence during the first quarter of next year.

MC Power is also in the process of securing the permits and clearances required for the project, including a PDC endorsement or resolution of no objection needed for its Environmental Compliance Certificate application.

During its presentation before the council, the company outlined several benefits expected from the project once it becomes operational.

Among these are real property tax collections, local business taxes, and a one-percent royalty share from the project's total gross income that will accrue to the local government.

The company also cited the benefit-sharing mechanism mandated under Department of Energy Energy Regulations No. 1-94, which allocates P0.03 per kilowatt-hour of electricity sold for host communities.

MC Power further highlighted its KAHALIGI corporate social responsibility program, which it said would provide additional community development initiatives in the host areas.

Following the presentation, the PDC Execom approved a resolution "endorsing and interposing no objection to the development of the Alegria Wind Power Project."

The meeting was presided over by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, chairperson of the council, together with Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines–Cebu Chapter and vice chairperson of the PDC Execom.

Aside from the wind energy project, the council also endorsed several programs, activities, and projects of national government agencies for inclusion in the proposed 2027 national budget.

Among those endorsed was the Department of Health–Central Visayas' Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project Connect Project, a nutrition initiative covering 37 municipalities in Cebu.

The council likewise approved the Department of Public Works and Highways–Central Visayas' (DPWH-7) additional programs and projects amounting to P32.11 billion, as well as the Department of Agriculture's (DA-7) additional P25.8 million worth of initiatives focused on production and research facility modernization, high-value crop development, and organic agriculture.

The PDC Execom also passed a resolution seeking the fast-tracking of the construction of 94 classrooms funded under the 2025 national budget but still awaiting approval of scope modifications introduced by the DPWH.

All resolutions approved by the council will be forwarded to the Regional Development Council for endorsement to the national government for possible inclusion in the 2027 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

RDC reviews key infrastructure projects

The Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Visayas reviewed key infrastructure initiatives and discussed priority actions aimed at sustaining the region’s development during its second-quarter meeting held recently in Cebu City.

During the meeting, the RDC-IDC examined major accomplishments alongside development concerns outlined in the 2025 Regional Development Report (RDR), which highlighted the progress, emerging challenges, and priority interventions for the infrastructure sector.

Committee members discussed the status of strategic investments intended to support the region’s development goals, particularly projects involving physical and digital connectivity, as well as water supply and energy.

These investments are expected to be crucial in improving mobility and ensuring the reliability of water and power services across Central Visayas.

Recognizing the growing need for integrated flood management, the committee also tackled the proposed expansion of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Stormwater Management and Flood Control by adding more members.

The move aims to strengthen coordination among agencies and stakeholders involved in flood mitigation efforts.

According to the committee, broadening the membership of the TWG would enhance technical collaboration and provide greater support in updating and implementing flood control and drainage management programs in Metro Cebu and other flood-prone areas in the region. — /IHM (FREEMAN)