Lotilla asked to reject Laguna floating solar project

A floating solar power plant to be set up in the Laguna lake is being vehemently opposed by fisherfolk and environmental advocates for its “adverse impact on the livelihood of over 8,000 small fisherfolk and coastal residents.”

Raphael Lotilla, who was newly reassigned to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (from the Department of Energy), immediately faced this problem posed by the Save Laguna Lake Movement and was asked to evaluate the potential impact of the project on the socio-economic and environmental rights  of affected coastal communities. 

“There is widespread opposition from affected fishermen and residents to the imminent floating solar project that will cover traditional fishing grounds. 

The new DENR secretary should seriously consider the said project and thoroughly scrutinize its environmental impact statement,” Inquirer quoted Chris Baysa, convener of SLLM.

Baysa added they are planning to submit a letter to Lotilla to call for a dialogue so that they can present the grounds of their objection to the project.

SLLM noted that the said project will cover around 2,000 hectares of the country’s largest inland brackish lake in its southern and eastern areas, such as Calamba, Cabuyao, Santa Rosa, Bay, and Victoria, in Laguna province.

It also mentioned the companies involved in the floating solar project, such as the Ayala-led ACEN Corp., “which has already signed an agreement with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) to lease 800 hectares of the lake for the project.”

Fishers’ group Pamalakaya, which is among the conveners of SLLM, said they will continue to be vigilant on Lotilla’s programs in environmental protection and climate change mitigation.

“The new DENR chief should revamp the policies of the DENR into a people-oriented and rights-based approach on environmental protection and climate change adaptation,” Pamalakaya National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said.