16/05/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ฆ | ๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ณ๐ผ๐น๐ธ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ ๐ฎ ๐ผ๐ณ๐ณ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
SAN JOSE, Pili, Camarines Sur โ Concerns surrounding a proposed offshore wind farm project in San Miguel Bay took center stage as stakeholders, local government representatives, and fisherfolk gathered for the "DUROS 2: Multi-Stakeholder Consultation and Solutions-Based Participative Workshop on Offshore Wind Farms," held at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) Alvaro Rabina Hall Auditorium on May 15, 2026.
Joe Pableo, a fisherman from Cabusao, Camarines Sur, emphasized that while the sector supports renewable energy initiatives, such projects must remain just and transparent.
โHindi kami tutol sa renewable energy ngunit naninindigan kami na anumang proyekto ay dapat makatarungan, makatao, makakalikasan, legal, transparent, at tunay na nagsisilbi sa sambayanan,โ Pableo said.
In an interview, Mr. Enrique Guerrero, a commercial fisher from Sabang, Calabanga, also highlighted the potential ecological consequences and livelihood disruptions of installing the wind turbines.
โSa windmills, wala tayong magagawa diyan kasi, ano eh...gusto nila yan eh, 'di ba? Kasi ang problema nito [ay] yung mga maaapektuhan, tulad ng mga species ng isda. Hindi lang 'yon, yung mga mangingisda [rin] at yung mga nakatira sa coastal," Guerrero stated.
Responding to these sentiments, CamSur 3rd District Representative Nelson Legacion shared the collective concerns he gathered from fishermen across the affected areas, promising the fisherfolk that they would have his full legislative support.
โBilang boses kan terser distrito kan [Camarines Sur], sakuyang responsibilidad an interes asin karahayaan kan satuyang constituents, especially the fishermen who need our attention and guidance. Dapat dae madanyaran an saindang kabuhayan," he said.
Meanwhile, Tabang Bikol Movement Board Chairperson, Madame Evita Jimenez-Tuazon pushed this gathering to pave the way for the Windmill Farm project while ensuring that it will not result in the loss of livelihood among fisherfolk nor cause harm to the marine environment.
The program also featured Sarong Dekadang Korapsyon sa Dagat, directed by Mr. Ferdinand Dimadura, which highlighted the sacrifices and long-standing struggles of fishermen in parts of Lagonoy, Camarines Sur.
The workshop served as a vital platform for dialogue, allowing affected coastal sectors to directly voice their anxieties regarding livelihood stability, environmental zoning, and socioeconomic safety nets.
The event was spearheaded by a coalition of conveners, including the Tabang Bicol Movement (TBM), Marinersโ Polytechnic Colleges Foundation, Blue-Green Workforce Development Program Advocates, and Ocean Centre Philippines, in partnership with CBSUA and the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST).
Official participants included grassroots representatives and local government units from the coastal municipalities of Mercedes, Cabusao, Calabanga, Libmanan, Bombon, and Tinambac.
Via John Reyver Magana, Chester Ian Bulalacao/The Seafarers' Gazette
