Vena Energy open to dialogue amid Rizal wind farm project issues

Singapore-based Vena Energy on Thursday said it remained open to dialogue with stakeholders after the Masungi Georeserve Foundation expressed concern over drilling operations for a wind farm project in the conservation area in Tanay, Rizal. 

“In light of recent issues directed towards the company, Vena Energy assures the public that it continues to maintain an open dialogue with stakeholders and is always willing to work with concerned parties to achieve the common good,” said Vena Energy in a statement. 

Vena also defended itself and said they have secured proper permits including an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the DENR and the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of the indigenous peoples Dumagat/Remontado of Antipolo and Tanay in developing the wind farm project.  

“Vena Energy is a committed partner to upholding climate action and strongly adheres to environmental laws. It ensures the protection and preservation of biodiversity, maintains ecosystem services, and sustainably manages natural resources, which are prerogatives of sustainable development,” the firm added. 

On Feb. 12, the non-profit organization took to social media to express concern over the multiple driving operations of Vena-backed Rizal Wind Energy Corporation (RWEC) in the Masungi Karst Conservation Area as this poses a threat to local wildlife, specifically birds and bat populations. 

The foundation likewise called for the revocation of permits related to the renewable energy project, saying it violated Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 33-1993 which prohibits mining operations in the conservation site. 

The Masungi Georeserve is a conservation project in Rizal that has won international several awards including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Action Award under the Inspire Category in 2022, the Water ChangeMaker Awards in 2021 for its efforts to protect and restore the watershed from “large-scale threats such as quarrying, land trafficking, and timber poaching,” and the 2018 Pathfinder Award Special Commendation presented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and WildArk. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News