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The Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag has formally opposed the proposed offshore wind developments off the coasts of Burgos, Bangui, and Pagudpud, saying the projects could threaten the livelihoods of thousands of municipal fisherfolk and cause long-term damage to marine ecosystems in northern Ilocos Norte.
In a circular dated June 28, Bishop Renato P. Mayugba called on the clergy, religious communities, lay faithful, government agencies, scientists, environmental advocates, fisherfolk organizations, and the public to unite to protect the province’s coastal resources. The diocese said its position was shaped by consultations with coastal communities and guided by the principles of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which emphasizes environmental stewardship and social justice.
Renewable Energy With Safeguards
While reiterating its support for the country’s transition to renewable energy, the diocese stressed that clean energy initiatives should not undermine the welfare of vulnerable communities or compromise the environment.
“Our stance is not born of mere opposition to progress, but from a profound moral duty to protect human dignity and the integrity of creation,” the circular stated.
According to the diocese, the proposed floating offshore wind facilities could limit access to traditional fishing grounds by establishing designated exclusion or no-sail zones around the turbines. Church leaders said such restrictions could economically displace more than 6,500 municipal fisherfolk from the coastal towns of Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, and Pagudpud, whose livelihoods depend on these waters.
The diocese also warned that offshore construction activities, including the installation of underwater infrastructure and increased vessel traffic, could disturb sensitive marine habitats and affect fish migration routes that sustain coastal fishing communities.
It further expressed concern over the potential impact of heavy underwater foundations and continuous low-frequency noise from turbine operations on marine biodiversity in Bangui Bay, an area known for its rich coastal ecosystem.
Appeal For Environmental Justice
Beyond environmental concerns, the diocese questioned what it described as the commercialization of communal waters and historic shorelines if large portions of the sea become restricted for industrial use.
Mayugba said efforts to address climate change should not come at the expense of food security, biodiversity, or the rights of communities that have depended on the sea for generations.
The diocese urged policymakers, researchers, academic institutions, environmental organizations, youth groups, and residents to work together in ensuring that development remains anchored on environmental justice and the common good.
It also described Ilocos Norte’s maritime resources as a shared heritage that should be safeguarded for future generations, concluding that the province’s land, wind, and seas are “not for sale” but a sacred trust entrusted to its people.
Project Granted Clearance
The church’s statement comes as the proposed Northern Luzon offshore wind project continues to move through the government’s permitting process.
Earlier this year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources granted a pre-development environmental compliance certificate to Buhawind Energy Northern Luzon Corp. (BENLC), allowing the company to undertake geophysical, geotechnical, environmental, and social surveys within the proposed project area.
The studies are intended to establish the site’s physical and social conditions, provide scientific data for project design, and assess potential environmental impacts before any construction proceeds.
BENLC is a joint venture between PetroGreen Energy Corp., a subsidiary of Yuchengco-led PetroEnergy Resources Corp., and Denmark-based Copenhagen Energy. The planned Northern Luzon offshore wind facility has an indicative capacity of about two gigawatts and forms part of a broader offshore wind pipeline that also includes proposed projects in Northern Mindoro and East Panay.
The project was previously granted Energy Project of National Significance status by the Department of Energy, allowing faster processing of permits, and also received Green Lane endorsement from the Board of Investments to expedite approvals.
The Diocese of Laoag’s opposition adds to the growing public debate over how the Philippines should balance the rapid expansion of renewable energy with the protection of coastal livelihoods, marine ecosystems, and communities that stand to be directly affected by large-scale infrastructure developments.
Source:
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/07/01/2538929/church-bucks-offshore-wind-project-ilocos
https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/02/new-ilocos-norte-offshore-wind-project-secures-early-baseline-studies