EDC apologizes to Ilocos Norte board; seeks reconsideration

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—Following the denial of a resolution of endorsement for the establishment of a 4.9 megawatt solar farm in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, the project proponent, Energy Development Corporation has finally issued a letter of apology, asking members of the Ilocos Norte board for a “second chance”.

On behalf of the EDC’s board of directors, management and staff, Reman Chua, who is also the current project manager of the Burgos wind project said the company takes full responsibility for the “honest mistake” and it was never intended as a sign of disrespect to the provincial lawmakers.

According to Mr. Chua, “The omission was partly based on the erroneous understanding of Sec. 56 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines by our project development team that local government procedure mandating that ordinances and resolutions enacted by the Sangguniang Bayan of Burgos are to be reviewed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will constitute compliance with the requisite SP endorsement.”

“We respectfully submit that the foregoing was never intentional. Thus, we ask for your understanding that our actions shall not be construed as a sign of disrespect to the Ilocos Norte government and its people nor a reflection of our corporate values and practices,” he told lawmakers present during the resumption of the SP’s regular session on April 6 as he read the letter addressed to the body.

On March 9, the board passed a resolution condemning the act of the EDC in constructing and putting into operation its Burgos solar project without first securing endorsement from the provincial government.

Mr. Chua assured EDC has already taken steps to ensure that a similar incident will not be repeated.

“We realized that we need to regain your trust as partner in progress of the province and as a responsible member of the community that has genuine and meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices. We will work diligently to do this both with our existing project as well with the projects that we hope to pursue in the future with your valuable prior consent and endorsement,” said in the EDC letter signed by Richard B. Tantoco, president of EDC along with the executive vice president, members of the EDC board and project manager of the solar project.

For his part, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Vicentito “Toto” M. Lazo said that EDC, as one of the investors of the province should ensure proper and fair distribution of wealth and help uplift the living conditions of host communities as part of their CSR.

As part of the amended version of the CSR ordinance of the province, any form of material assistance projects such as construction of farm-to-market roads, farm inputs and chairs can now be accepted including cash and other livelihood projects for expatriated overseas Filipino workers and social service aid to indigents and victims of typhoon or natural disasters.

To ensure strict compliance to the said local ordinance, the SP also passed a related ordinance requiring project proponents and investors of Ilocos Norte to submit and sign a memorandum of agreement with the Ilocos Norte government, incorporating therein their specific plans and projects including a budget estimate pertaining to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.