DENR PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON RP ENERGY POWER PLANT PROJECT
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held a public consultation recently at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) regarding the 600-megawatt thermal power plant project of Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (RP Energy).
RP Energy representatives led by project manager Grant Smith participated in the consultation. “We thank the DENR for convening the public consultation and for giving us the opportunity once again to engage the project’s stakeholders”, Smith said.
Around 200 stakeholders took part in the proceeding representing local residents, government and private institutions and non-government organizations (NGO) in the SubicOlongapo area. Smith also said that RP Energy will await the DENR’s guidance and mandate on the next steps moving forward. RP Energy is a joint venture company formed by Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MPG), Therma Power Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation), and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corporation (TCIC).
The project will provide additional generation capacity needed to meet the increasing demand in the Luzon grid when it starts commercial operations. To date, RP Energy has already conducted and organized numerous corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs in the project’s surrounding communities in Subic and Olongapo City.
Thousands of local residents have benefited from these projects that focus on livelihood and skills development, health and sports development, environment and disaster risk management, education and finally, infrastructure support.
According to Brgy. Cawag community leader Kagawad Ramon Manzano, residents appreciate the company’s efforts and are already looking forward to the progress and development the project will bring to their community. “Inaantay na nga namin ang tuluyang pag-apruba sa proyekto dahil ilan taon na rin siyang pinag-uusapan. Katunayan, sabik na kaming matuloy yan lalo’t di lahat ng lugar ay nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na matabihan ng ganitong klaseng proyekto at oportunidad na umunlad.”
