Communities, PMCJ question conduct of public hearing for Zamboanga gas project
- Media Communications
- Sep 10
- 2 min read
Zamboanga City, Philippines — Communities of Barangays Sangali and Bolong, together with the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), strongly denounce the public hearing for the Zamboanga gas project as invalid.
The public hearing on the proposed 56-Megawatt (MW) Diesel Gas Turbine Expansion Project by Malita Power Inc. was held on August 28, 2025, at Sangali Covered Court, Zamboanga City. Residents joined by PMCJ questioned the hearing for violating the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2017-15 or Guidelines on Public Participation under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System.
The guidelines require sufficient prior notice and publication, and the conduct of education, information, and communication (IEC) activities prior to the public hearing. Despite raising these red flags, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) brushed off the issue and proceeded with the public hearing.
While a moderated open forum was held, the allotted time was insufficient – another violation of DAO 2017-15. This has prevented community members and barangay officials from fully voicing their concerns. Yet although the presiding officer restricted questions, the community was still able to bring up several critical issues concerning the expansion project.
“Ako ay nababahala sa proyektong ito… Dahil tiyak ang aming pangingisda ay maaapektuhan sa presensya ng planta na ito. Makakadaong kami nang mas malayo sa baybayin,” said Satra Omar, a resident of Sangali. [I am concerned about this project… Because our fishing will definitely be affected by the presence of this plant. We will be able to land further from the coast.]
Community members raised concerns over potential flooding, loss of fishing livelihood, and the conversion of agricultural land without proper documentation. These issues were met with mere assurances from the project proponent to look into the matters, but without definitive answers.
Following the passage of the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Act in January 2025, PMCJ clarified whether it is required to have a separate Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) should the expansion project utilize liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the future. The hearing officer confirmed that a new ECC would be necessary.
The clarification was made as the project title "Gas Turbine Power Plant Expansion" opens to a general interpretation that the expansion would include all types of gas, while its current operations rely on diesel fuel only. PMCJ stressed that marketing it as a general gas expansion may be misleading.
One of the technologies being considered for the expansion project suggests the use of aeroderivative gas turbine technology, which can be operated using different types of fuels such as LNG. In the Philippines, the first power plant to run on aircraft engines was First Gen's Avion Open-Cycle Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant in Batangas.
“We find it concerning that at this early stage of the plant expansion, omissions in the process are already seen and are merely explained inadequately without taking steps to rectify said omissions,” said PMCJ National Coordinator Ian Rivera. “These processes must be strictly implemented to ensure that the project does not violate the law and protects the community and environment from risks associated with the establishment of this plant.”
For Mindanao-based media, contact:
Pat Pangantihon
Policy and Communications Officer-Mindanao
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
For Metro Manila-based media, contact:
Sheila Abarra
Senior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
Viber: +639916692356
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