Biliran governor blocks geothermal project amid renewed push

TACLOBAN CITY — Plans to develop a geothermal power project in Biliran have hit another setback after the provincial government reiterated its firm opposition to the project’s implementation.

Biliran Gov. Rogelio Espina on Wednesday said he will not allow the Biliran II Geothermal Project (BIIG) to proceed anywhere in the province, following social media posts suggesting a possible resumption of project activities early this year.

“Wala pong nakarating sa ating kapitolyo na application ng permit para sa nasabing proyekto. Wala tayong binigay at hindi natin papayagan ang kahit ang karagdagang drilling o anumang aktibidad para sa kanilang expansion,” Espina said.

Efforts to harness geothermal energy in Biliran date back more than four decades. In 1979 and 1980, the Philippine National Oil Company conducted geothermal exploration in the province, including geological reconnaissance and an inventory of surface hydrothermal features.

By 1982, three exploration wells were drilled to assess geothermal potential. After more than a decade, the Department of Energy sought investors and offered the Biliran geothermal project for bidding in 2007, awarding a service contract to Biliran Geothermal Inc. in 2008.

In 2024, a consortium composed of AG&P Industrial, Cresphil Inc., Energy Stream Power Corp., and Royal Eijkelkamp announced that it had taken over the development and management of BIIG.

Under the consortium’s arrangement, Cresphil and Energy Stream Power are responsible for compliance, permitting, and procurement, while AG&P Industrial will handle construction and civil works related to drilling and power generation facilities.

Energy Stream Power Corp. CEO Carlos Ruiz earlier said the BIIG project has a geothermal potential of up to 50 to 70 megawatts across an area spanning 11,178 hectares.

However, local government officials have maintained their opposition amid mounting public concern over possible environmental risks associated with geothermal development.

Caibiran Mayor Rhodessa Delante-Revita said the project has remained non-operational and that no geothermal drilling has taken place since she assumed office.

“The (local government unit) has not issued any permit for drilling and will not allow any activity that may endanger the municipality’s forests, watersheds, natural resources, or communities,” Revita said.

She added that any future geothermal activity would require strict evaluation, full transparency, and meaningful public consultation with affected communities, stakeholders, and relevant government agencies, in compliance with existing laws and regulations.