DEVELOPMENT should not come at the cost of the environment, says the Caritas Philippines in joining calls to halt the construction of a massive energy windfarm on the surface of the country’s largest freshwater basin — the Laguna de Bay.
In a statement, Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, in his capacity as president of Caritas Philippines, asked the government to issue an order to stop the Talim Wind Power Project amid unresolved environmental and community concerns.
The Talim Wind Power Project is a renewable energy development slated for Talim Island—the largest island on Laguna de Bay—spanning the towns of Binangonan and Cardona in Rizal. Awarded to Island Wind Energy Corp. (a subsidiary of Vena Energy), the project plans for 34 wind turbines.
In a statement, the Catholic humanitarian and advocacy group clarified that while Caritas supports efforts to do away from fossil fuels, the transition should not be detrimental to both the affected communities and the environment.
“Renewable energy must embody the same justice it seeks to advance,” Alminaza said in a statement released this week.
The 218.75-megawatt Talim Wind Power Project spans about 3.4 million square meters covering parts of Binangonan and Cardona towns. Community groups estimate more than 40,000 residents and fisherfolk on Talim Island could be affected.
Alminaza cited a municipal inspection that found grading and earthmoving already underway, with some required environmental documents missing on-site. The inspection recommended suspending earthmoving until the project proponent complies.
Residents have reported tree-cutting, coastal flooding and biodiversity loss near Mount Tagapo, along with threats to fishing grounds and farmland, the statement said.
“These reports require independent verification. They must neither be dismissed nor presented as settled scientific findings,” Alminaza said.
The advocacy group Kapit sa Talim Association has pushed for release of hazard assessments, permits and consultation records tied to the project’s approval.
Alminaza acknowledged the developer’s community outreach, including a donation of 1,000 school chairs, but said such programs do not resolve compliance questions.
“They cannot substitute for environmental compliance, disclosure and meaningful participation,” he said.
The statement situates Talim within a wider debate: the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development has mapped 257 proposed wind projects nationwide, with combined potential capacity of 90,311 megawatts.
Caritas Philippines warned that concentrating renewable development in large corporate projects risks sidelining host communities.
“Communities risk becoming project sites rather than partners, owners and decision-makers,” Alminaza said.
The national Caritas is calling for suspension of all Talim-related activity until independent assessments are completed and residents can participate without pressure or intimidation.
“Should an independent investigation establish that the project has caused, or is likely to cause, serious and irreversible harm, the government must withdraw its approvals,” Alminaza said.
As alternatives, Caritas pointed to community-owned models including parish solar programs, the 10 million Solar Rooftops Challenge, and micro-hydro systems already operating in Northern Luzon.