The Diocese of San Pablo, located in Laguna, a province just southeast of Manila, Philippines, has strongly opposed the proposed construction of the 1,400-megawatt (MW) Ahunan Hydropower Plant in Pakil, Laguna.
In a pastoral letter, Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit, Jr., of San Pablo, also the new chairman of the Office of Social Communication of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), expressed concerns that while the project may contribute to the country's energy needs, it poses significant threats to the environment, livelihoods, and the community's faith.
"Instead of bringing blessings, this project threatens to cause destruction to the mountains, displace many families, and damage the sacred natural resources entrusted to us," Bishop Maralit said.
He highlighted several important considerations before proceeding with the hydropower plant construction.
Maralit emphasized that nature is a sign of God's presence, reflecting the Creator's beauty and greatness as an expression of His love and care for humanity.
"The lake, mountains, forests, and springs are not merely parts of our surroundings; they are God's gifts that continuously give life to us. Laguna de Bay sustains the livelihood of our fishermen and farmers. Forests provide clean water and protection from calamities. However, these blessings are at risk due to projects that focus only on short-term gains rather than long-term care," he stressed.
Maralit emphasized that humanity bears the responsibility of being stewards of creation. Therefore, we should not treat the world merely as a resource for personal gain.
He warned that the proposed hydropower plant could cause severe environmental impacts such as flooding, water shortages, and the displacement of animals, plants, and people who rely on nature for survival.
Beyond environmental concerns, Maralit emphasized the importance of preserving faith and cultural heritage.
He noted that the town of Pakil is known for its strong devotion to Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba, a devotion that unites the faithful of the Diocese of San Pablo and beyond.
In light of this devotion, Maralit warned that the sacred Turumba Springs, believed to bring physical and spiritual healing, are also at risk of destruction due to the project.
He called on those involved in the project, particularly the Department of Energy, Ahunan Power Inc., and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to reconsider it and ensure genuine consultation with the affected communities.
Maralit also urged everyone to promote just and environmentally responsible development in response to God’s call and the spirit of the Jubilee of Hope.
"May this action continue to inspire us to journey together with hope, toward a more prosperous, just, and blessed future for all," he concluded.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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