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Nueva Vizcaya officials called for a review of the 33.4‑megawatt Pampang Hydroelectric Power Project, a plan put forward by FDC Renewables, the clean‑energy arm of Filinvest Development Corp.
The project cuts across two provinces, linking Santa Fe in Nueva Vizcaya with San Nicolas in Pangasinan. Governor Jose Gambito noted that the project needs careful, transparent scrutiny to ensure local interests and natural resources are protected.
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Concerns brought to light
The provincial government flagged the project’s potential impact on the environment, noting that it does not appear to fully account for the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS).
The PENCAS is a government-wide framework signed into law on May 22, 2024. It aims to systematically measure, monitor, and integrate the value of ecosystems and natural resources—such as forests, water, soil, air quality, and ecosystem services—into national economic planning and policymaking.
Officials also pointed out that host local governments have not been assured of compensation through ecosystem service payments. In addition, the project still lacks an endorsement from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, raising questions about the completeness of its local government approvals.
Additionally, the provincial government highlighted the lack of clarity on whether the project would lead to a more secure power supply or affordable electricity rates for local communities. Questions were likewise raised about how benefits under Energy Regulation 1-94 and the sharing of proceeds from national wealth would be implemented.
Officials also questioned why the powerhouse and switchyard were planned for San Nicolas in Pangasinan rather than Santa Fe in Nueva Vizcaya.
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Project background
In June 2024, the Board of Investments awarded FDC Renewables’ ₱4.8‑billion Pampang hydropower project a “green lane” endorsement. The status speeds up all permits and licenses, clearing the way for faster project rollout.
FDC Renewables said it has finished a detailed feasibility study for the project, which spans Santa Fe in Nueva Vizcaya and San Nicolas in Pangasinan. Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo expressed confidence in the project’s commercial prospects, citing the sponsor’s track record and the broader development experience of its parent firm, Filinvest.
Rodolfo added that the Filinvest-led initiative could play a key role in easing the energy supply gap in the Luzon grid. FDC expects the plant to support the country’s push for energy security. The Department of Energy (DoE) projects power demand in the main grid to grow by an average of 5.5% annually through 2040.
Given the country’s urgent need to boost energy capacity, an FDC official said the firm plans to fast-track the project’s construction and completion. The initiative, they added, is expected to provide employment to hundreds of Filipinos and bring long-term opportunities to Indigenous peoples living near the site.
FDC Renewables clarified that the Pampang project is not a dam but a run-of-river facility, meaning it will harness only a portion of the river’s flow. This move requires approval from the National Water Resources Board.
The company is targeting December 2028 for the start of commercial operations.
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