Monday, August 11, 2008 [ philstar.com ]
CAGAYAN – After announcing plans to build a P5-billion international airport in this northernmost province, the Arroyo administration is also set to put up here the country’s second windmill project.
President Arroyo disclosed the plan to construct a multimillion-peso windmill along Cagayan’s northern coastline during the first regional peace and security assembly recently held in Tuguegarao City.
The President earlier also announced government plans to establish call centers at the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, now being strengthened as North-Luzon’s economic and tourism hub, and the continued rehabilitation of the Bagabag airport in Nueva Vizcaya, the threshold to Cagayan Valley.
The region also covers Isabela, the country’s topmost corn and rice-producing province, Quirino and the island province of Batanes.
The country’s first windmill project, which generates energy from wind, is located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. It is a joint project of the Dutch and Philippine governments.
Globally, wind power generation has increased more than fivefold in the last seven years.
“Along with other projects being readied for this region… is the construction of a windmill, which is part of our efforts to further develop the region’s capacity as the country’s food basket,” the President said.
She said the windmill project is also in line with the government’s thrust to increase the use of renewable fuels and save dollars from the importation of petroleum products.
Experts have recommended wind power as a cheap and renewable energy source. It is now one of the major sources of electricity in most developed countries such as Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Ireland. – Charlie Lagasca
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