10/08/2026
๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ง ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฃ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ช๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ๐ง๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ
๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต๐ฉ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐๐ฏ๐ท๐ช๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ช๐ฏ ๐๐ค๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ด ๐๐ณ๐จ๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ (๐ ๐๐-๐) ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ
๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐บ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต (๐๐๐๐)
We, the officers and members of the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) and the Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) of Malaga National High School, respectfully express our opposition to the proposed construction of wind turbines near Tarangban Falls, Brgy. Tinaplacan, Calbayog City, Samar.
As students, youth leaders, and environmental advocates, we recognize the urgent need to transition to renewable and sustainable sources of energy. We support initiatives that address climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, we firmly believe that renewable energy development must be carried out responsibly and in locations that do not threaten environmentally sensitive areas, natural heritage sites, and communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on these ecosystems.
๐ข๐๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป ๐ถ๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น. ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐น๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น.
Many learners of Malaga National High School reside in communities surrounding Tarangban Falls and nearby barangays. Our families depend on the area's natural resources, clean water systems, and ecotourism activities that provide income and livelihood opportunities. For many residents, Tarangban Falls is not only a destination for visitors but also a source of local pride, cultural identity, and economic opportunity.
Tarangban Falls is one of Calbayog City's most recognized natural attractions and contributes significantly to the city's image as the "City of Waterfalls." Local guides, transportation providers, food vendors, small businesses, and community members benefit directly and indirectly from visitors who come to experience the area's natural beauty. Any development that may compromise the scenic, ecological, and tourism value of Tarangban Falls could affect the livelihoods of residents who rely on ecotourism and nature-based economic activities.
Scientific research has shown that the construction of large infrastructure projects in mountainous and forested landscapes can result in habitat fragmentation, vegetation loss, soil erosion, increased sedimentation of waterways, and disturbance to wildlife. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has emphasized that renewable energy projects should avoid areas of significant biodiversity and natural value whenever possible to reduce ecological impacts. Furthermore, studies on wind energy development have recommended careful site selection to minimize environmental and landscape impacts on sensitive natural areas.
The proposed turbine project would likely require road construction, land clearing, excavation, transportation of heavy equipment, and the installation of supporting infrastructure. These activities may alter the natural landscape surrounding Tarangban Falls, affect the quality of visitor experiences, and diminish the pristine environment that attracts tourists, researchers, photographers, environmentalists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Our opposition is founded on the following environmental laws and principles:
๐ญ. ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ต๐ด๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐ถ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Article II, Section 16 provides that:
"The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature."
This constitutional right extends to present and future generations and underscores the responsibility of government and citizens to protect the environment.
๐ฎ. ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ก๐ผ. ๐ญ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ (๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐บ)
This law requires projects with potentially significant environmental impacts to undergo Environmental Impact Assessment and secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate before implementation. The law ensures that environmental consequences are carefully studied before development proceeds. (Presidential Decree No. 1586).
๐ฏ. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ฐ๐ ๐ก๐ผ. ๐ต๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฑ (๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฐ)
This law protects the country's water resources from degradation and pollution. Since Tarangban Falls forms part of a broader watershed and river system, activities that may cause erosion, sedimentation, or water contamination require thorough evaluation.
๐ฐ. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ฐ๐ ๐ก๐ผ. ๐ต๐ญ๐ฐ๐ณ (๐ช๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฐ๐)
This law promotes the conservation of wildlife species and their habitats by preventing activities that may destroy or significantly disturb ecological systems.
๐ฑ. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ฐ๐ ๐ก๐ผ. ๐ต๐ณ๐ฎ๐ต (๐๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ต)
While encouraging climate-responsive development and renewable energy, the law recognizes the importance of sustainability and ecological protection in all development initiatives.
As students and future leaders, we believe that addressing climate change should not require sacrificing irreplaceable natural treasures. We maintain that renewable energy projects can be pursued in locations that do not threaten environmentally significant landscapes, ecotourism destinations, and community resources.
Therefore, we respectfully call upon the project proponents, local government units, concerned agencies, and stakeholders to:
1. ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐ฅ๐ค๐จ๐๐ ๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ค๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐๐จ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐จ.
2. ๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐ก๐ค๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ ๐จ๐๐ฉ๐๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ก๐ค๐ฌ๐๐ง ๐๐ฃ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ค๐ฃ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ก, ๐ฉ๐ค๐ช๐ง๐๐จ๐ข, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ข๐ช๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ฉ๐จ.
3. ๐พ๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ช๐๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐-๐๐๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ค๐ฃ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ก ๐จ๐ฉ๐ช๐๐๐๐จ, ๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ช๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ค๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐จ๐๐ฉ๐ฎ, ๐๐ฎ๐๐ง๐ค๐ก๐ค๐๐๐๐๐ก, ๐๐๐ค๐ก๐ค๐๐๐๐๐ก, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐ค๐ช๐ง๐๐จ๐ข ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐จ๐จ๐๐จ๐จ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐จ.
4. ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ช๐ง๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ช๐ก ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ๐ช๐ก๐ฉ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ข๐ช๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐จ, ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ฉ๐ ๐ค๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ฏ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ, ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ค๐ช๐จ ๐ฅ๐๐ค๐ฅ๐ก๐๐จ, ๐๐ฃ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ค๐ฃ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ก ๐๐ง๐ค๐ช๐ฅ๐จ, ๐ฉ๐ค๐ช๐ง๐๐จ๐ข ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ก๐๐๐ง๐จ, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ง๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐จ.
5. ๐๐ง๐๐ค๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ก๐ค๐ฃ๐-๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ข ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐จ ๐๐จ ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐ก ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ฉ๐ค๐ช๐ง๐๐จ๐ข ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ.
We believe that true progress is measured not only by the infrastructure we build but also by the natural treasures we preserve. Tarangban Falls is a vital part of Calbayog City's environmental heritage, tourism industry, and community identity. Once its natural character is altered, the loss may be irreversible.
For the sake of the environment, local communities, future generations, and the sustainable development of Calbayog City, we stand united in opposition to the proposed turbine construction near Tarangban Falls.
"๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ง ๐
๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ญ, ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ญ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฒ."
