01/07/2026
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πππππ ππππ, ππππππ πππππ (ππππ ππ, ππππ) β The Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag has joined mounting opposition to the proposed offshore wind project in Ilocos Norte, warning that the renewable energy venture could jeopardize the livelihood of more than 6,500 fisherfolk and inflict lasting damage on Ilocos Norteβs marine ecosystem.
In Circular Letter No. 7 issued on June 28, Bishop Renato P. Mayugba said the diocese reached its position after consultations, prayer and discernment with Ilocos Norte coastal communities. He stressed that while the Church supports renewable energy, it cannot endorse projects that threaten peopleβs livelihoods and the environment.
The diocese said the planned floating wind turbines off Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpud would restrict access to traditional fishing grounds through permanent no-sail zones, displacing municipal fishermen and disrupting marine resources that sustain thousands of coastal families.
Church leaders also raised alarm over the projectβs potential impact on marine biodiversity, saying turbine installation, underwater infrastructure and increased vessel traffic could alter fish migration routes and damage sensitive coastal habitats. They warned that efforts to combat climate change should not come at the cost of food security, biodiversity and the welfare of fishing communities.
The Diocese of Laoag called on government agencies, local officials, scientists, environmental groups and residents to protect Ilocos Norteβs coastal waters, saying the provinceβs seas are a shared heritage that must be preserved for future generations and that development should remain anchored on environmental justice and the common good.