Defending Banahaw: Communities Rise Against a P33-Billion Wind Power Project

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On an otherwise ordinary Saturday night, dozens of volunteers logged into a Zoom briefing that would open their eyes to an issue bigger than themselves—an issue that cuts to the core of environmental protection, cultural heritage, and intergenerational responsibility. What began as an orientation quickly became a call to arms: a collective stand against the 247-megawatt Banahaw Wind Power Project, a P33.5-billion development set to alter the very face of Mount Banahaw.

The Spark: A Hidden Notice, a Farmer’s Discovery

It all started with a chance discovery. On August 18, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR quietly published a notice of a public scoping for the proposed Banahaw Wind Power Project. The session was scheduled just ten days later, on August 28.

This announcement would have gone unnoticed if not for a farmer who stumbled upon it and shared it through a local Facebook group. Within hours, news trickled into communities near Mount Banahaw, revealing that Gigawind4 Inc., a subsidiary of ACEN Renewables under the Ayala Group, had already secured approval from the Department of Energy as far back as August 2022.

For three years, plans were already moving—behind closed doors, with little public knowledge. The revelation hit residents of Tayabas and Sariaya hard. This was not a simple energy project. It was one that would carve roads into the sacred mountain, place 38 massive turbines each as tall as a 40-story building, and permanently alter more than 4,500 hectares of land.

The Rise of One Banahaw

Alarmed, a group of individuals and organizations began posting online, raising awareness of the looming project. Within days, a movement was born: One Banahaw, a coalition of residents, advocates, and allies committed to protecting the mountain.

“One Banahaw personifies the spirit of the ordinary Filipino who is protecting Banahaw,” the organizers emphasized. “Every Filipino has the moral and legal obligation to defend the environment.”

The campaign gained traction quickly, especially within Quezon province. Posts were shared, stories spread, and the looming scoping session suddenly drew attention. Then, in an unexpected twist, the August 28 public scoping was postponed until further notice.

Was it because of the online uproar? The reason remains unclear. But the movement knew one thing: their voices had made an impact.

The Project in Black and White

The proponents of the Banahaw Wind Power Project present it as a beacon of progress—a green energy initiative to boost renewable capacity by 247 megawatts, aligning with the government’s target of 35% renewable energy by 2030. They promise jobs during construction, tax revenues for local governments, and new infrastructure, from roads to schools.

They even envision the site becoming a “tourist attraction”—a so-called green landmark where giant turbines would stand as symbols of clean energy.

But to the communities who call Banahaw home, the glossy promises hide irreversible consequences.

The Stand Against the Project

One Banahaw’s opposition is rooted in law, ecology, culture, and survival.

A Protected Landscape

Mount Banahaw is a declared Protected Landscape under Republic Act 9847. It is both a National Park and a watershed critical to thousands of households and farms. Building massive infrastructure within this legally protected area is, by definition, unlawful.

Ecological Damage

Banahaw is a biodiversity hotspot, home to endemic species of plants, birds, and bats. The project’s footprint would fragment habitats, cause deforestation, and increase mortality rates for wildlife. Worse, Banahaw is identified as a potential site for reintroducing the Philippine Eagle, once native to its forests.

Cultural and Spiritual Heritage

For centuries, Banahaw has been revered as a sacred mountain—a place of pilgrimage, mysticism, and faith. The intrusion of industrial turbines threatens not only nature but the intangible heritage and traditions tied to the mountain.

Water and Food Security

Banahaw is a watershed that supplies clean water to surrounding communities. Many households drink directly from its mountain springs. Roads, construction, and turbine operations pose risks of contamination and depletion, threatening agriculture and local livelihoods.

Geological Risks

Banahaw is classified as a dormant volcano with a history of activity. Extensive construction and deforestation increase risks of erosion, landslides, and flooding.

A Personal Battle

For some, this fight is more than advocacy—it’s survival. One organizer admitted:

“I live here. The proposed project site is literally at my doorstep. I’m not the kind of person who is usually outspoken online, but this time, I had no choice. This is personal—for my family, for our community, and for future generations.”

Their guiding principle? Intergenerational equity—that the present generation has the responsibility to safeguard the environment not just for itself, but for generations yet unborn.

Call to Action: A People’s Campaign

The campaign’s end goal is clear: stop the construction of the Banahaw Wind Power Project within the protected landscape. But they stress one crucial point—they are not against renewable energy. They are against reckless development in ecologically and culturally critical areas.

To achieve this, One Banahaw is rallying volunteers into committees: research and writing, photo and video, graphic design, planning and strategy, and community outreach. The idea is simple but powerful—build a grassroots communications and advocacy team strong enough to influence decision-makers at the Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB) and the DENR.

The call resounds like a prayer and a battle cry:

“Protect Banahaw—for the people, for the culture, for future generations.”

The Road Ahead

Whether the Banahaw Wind Power Project proceeds or is stopped will depend on the strength of public pressure, the vigilance of local communities, and the courage of authorities to uphold the law.

But as the briefing closed that night, one thing was clear: the fight for Banahaw had begun. And it was no longer just about a mountain. It was about the enduring struggle of Filipinos to defend their heritage, their environment, and the future of their children.

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