STOP THE EXPANSION OF THE OLONGAPO SOLAR FARM AT MT. BALIMPUYO

A Petition to the President of the Philippines, the Senate, the House of Representatives, DENR, DOE, and All Concerned Government Agencies

Mr. President, Honorable Senators, Honorable Members of the House of Representatives, and concerned government agencies:

Please listen to Olongapo.

We are not against renewable energy.

We are not against progress.

We are not against clean electricity.

But we are against development that may put our mountains, watershed, communities, livelihoods, and future at risk.

The proposed Phase 2 expansion of the Olongapo Solar Power Project at Mt. Balimpuyo, Barangay Sta. Rita has generated serious concerns among residents, farmers, Indigenous communities, environmental advocates, and local officials.

The proposed expansion is expected to cover a substantial portion of Mt. Balimpuyo. The host barangay has already expressed opposition and called on government agencies to review and deny applications or permits for the project.

NOW, WE ASK: WHO WILL PROTECT OLONGAPO?

Our mountains are not simply vacant land waiting to be developed.

They form part of the natural landscape that affects water flow, drainage, soil stability, erosion, and the environment of communities living below them.

With Olongapo repeatedly experiencing flooding and other climate-related hazards, we cannot simply proceed with massive development in mountain areas without first answering fundamental questions about its cumulative environmental and hydrological impacts.

We are not declaring that the solar farm caused any particular flood.

We are demanding an independent investigation to determine the facts.

 

The people deserve scientific evidence—not assurances.

WE CALL ON PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS JR., THE SENATE, AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO:

1. STOP OR SUSPEND THE PROCESSING OF THE MT. BALIMPUYO EXPANSION

Until an independent environmental, geological, hydrological, and disaster-risk assessment is completed and publicly disclosed.

2. ORDER AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION

Determine whether the existing and proposed solar development has affected or could affect:

- watershed functions;

- natural drainage;

- surface runoff;

- flooding;

- soil erosion;

- landslide risks;

- river and creek sedimentation;

- biodiversity;

- agricultural land; and

- the safety of communities downstream.

3. REQUIRE FULL PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

The public deserves access to the project's environmental studies, ECC-related documents, hydrological studies, drainage plans, geohazard assessments, tree-cutting permits, environmental compliance reports, mitigation measures, and monitoring results.

4. RESPECT THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY

Meaningful consultation must happen before decisions are made—not after.

 

Residents who live in the affected communities must not merely be informed of a decision already made.

They must have a meaningful voice in whether the project proceeds.

5. PROTECT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND LOCAL LIVELIHOODS

Government must ensure that the rights, livelihood, ancestral domain, and welfare of affected Indigenous Peoples and local farmers are fully respected.

Recent reporting has documented concerns from Aeta communities and farmers regarding expansion, livelihood, consultation, and land use.

6. REVIEW THE CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The question should not be limited to whether individual permits and requirements have been complied with.

Government must also ask:

What happens when large-scale development projects are combined with increasing rainfall, changing weather patterns, urbanization, and the existing vulnerability of Olongapo's communities?

WE SUPPORT CLEAN ENERGY—BUT WE DEMAND RESPONSIBLE CLEAN ENERGY.

Solar power is part of the country's energy future.

But renewable energy should not become an excuse to disregard environmental safeguards.

Green energy should not mean greenwashing.

Clean energy should not mean dirty governance.

Progress should not mean sacrificing the very environment that protects our communities.

We therefore call upon the President, the Senate, the House of Representatives, DENR, DOE, and all concerned agencies:

INVESTIGATE BEFORE YOU EXPAND.

LISTEN BEFORE YOU DECIDE.

PROTECT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

We ask every Filipino who believes in environmental protection, community rights, transparency, and responsible development to sign this petition.

This is not simply about a solar farm.

This is about what kind of development we want for the Philippines.

A development where communities are heard.

A development where science comes before profit.

A development where environmental laws are enforced.

A development where renewable energy and environmental protection go hand in hand.

OUR MOUNTAINS ARE OUR NATURAL DEFENSE.

OUR WATERSHED IS OUR LIFE.

OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE A VOICE.

WE SAY: NO TO IRRESPONSIBLE EXPANSION.

YES TO CLEAN ENERGY WITH ACCOUNTABILITY.

YES TO PROTECTING OLONGAPO.

SIGN. SHARE. SPEAK UP.

#SaveMtBalimpuyo

#ProtectOlongapo

#StopSolarFarmExpansion

#RenewableEnergyWithAccountability

#OurMountainsOurFuture