FDC Misamis Solar Project, a Token Gesture; Climate Justice Advocates Call for Full Coal Phaseout
- Media Communications
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
Misamis Oriental, Philippines — The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) criticized the recently announced solar plant project of Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC)’s FDC Utilities, Inc. as a “minuscule and misleading step” that fails to address the company’s continued and primary reliance on coal-fired power.
While acknowledging that any addition of renewable energy capacity is preferable to none, PMCJ emphasized that the scale of the proposed solar facility is negligible compared to the company’s existing coal operations. FDC currently owns three coal-fired power plants, totalling 405 megawatts (MW). This year, these coal plants will mark their 10th year of commercial operations and welcome two additional units, bringing their total coal portfolio capacity to 675 MW. The FDC Misamis Power Corporation targets the testing and commissioning of one of its coal expansion units in December 2026.
The 21-MW solar farm in Misamis Oriental, with 34,000 solar panels, was described as the largest in Mindanao. According to PMCJ, presenting the solar project as a major sustainability milestone risks misleading the public and investors about the company’s true energy portfolio.
Nora Galceran, a member of the Old Balacanas Fisherfolk Association, is one of the residents displaced by the FDC Misamis coal-fired power plant. “Back then, life was simple. The sea provided enough for our family, and the municipal waters were once rich with fish before industrialization reached Villanueva. With no choice, we tried to adapt. We were expected to become farmers, even though we had no land of our own to cultivate. The area allocated to us falls under the administration of PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority. Because of this setup, we are left dependent on their directives, with little control over our own means of survival,” Nanay Nora lamented.
“A small solar installation does not erase the massive carbon footprint of coal plants that continue to operate daily. FDC’s coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental continues to disrupt people’s livelihood and endanger their health. This is not a transition; it is tokenism. It is a classic case of greenwashing,” said Ian Rivera, PMCJ national coordinator.
“In order for the planet to get back on track and not breach 1.5 C at the end of the century, fossil fuel projects in the Philippines must be phased out before 2050. The aspirational goal cannot be met by renewables alone,” Rivera stressed.
PMCJ underscored that coal remains one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and public health risks in the country. Communities near coal facilities continue to bear the brunt of environmental degradation, from contaminated water sources to increased respiratory illnesses.
“The real solution lies not in marginal renewable additions but in a clear, time-bound commitment to phase out coal operations entirely. If FDC is serious about developing renewable energy (RE), it must immediately divest from its existing coal infrastructure, redirect its capital expenditures toward large-scale RE development, and ensure a just transition for workers and affected communities,” said Edwin Tesaluna, PMCJ senior RE officer.
PMCJ also called on government regulators, financial institutions, and local government units to scrutinize corporate sustainability claims more closely and to prioritize policies that accelerate a full shift to RE.
“As the climate crisis intensifies, half-measures are no longer acceptable. RE should not be a side project; it must become the core of our energy system. Companies cannot continue profiting from coal while using small RE projects as public relations shields. Corporate accountability means aligning investments with science-based climate targets. That starts with divesting from coal, not decorating it with a few solar panels,” ended Tesaluna. ###
For inquiries, contact:Pat Pangantihon
Policy and Communications Officer-Mindanao
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
For other PMCJ-related concerns, contact:
Sheila Abarra
Senior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
Viber: +639916692356
WhatsApp: +639380898327
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