FACT CHECK | Bangui Windmills in Ilocos Norte not a project of Marcos Jr.

February 2, 2022 , 03:36 PM

(February 2, 2022) – Several social media posts, including one uploaded on the official page of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos Jr. himself, continue to claim that the famous Bangui Windmills in Ilocos Norte was a project of the late dictator’s son while he was still a governor. This claim is false.

CLAIM:

In a post in November 2015, Marcos’ official Facebook page said the construction of the first-ever power-generating windmills in Southeast Asia was his project during his term as Ilocos Norte governor. It was posted during his vice presidential candidacy in the 2016 elections.

Now, many are reviving the old post as Marcos seeks the presidency in the 2022 elections.

Kay Bongbong Marcos, laging may solusyon at implementasyon!

Dahil sa windmills, natugunan ang problema sa kuryente ng…

Posted by Bongbong Marcos on Monday, November 9, 2015

Marcos, running under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, also brought up the project in an interview hosted by DZRH and the Manila Times last January 25.

“Kailangan talaga nating tingnan ang power situation dahil talagang kulang ang power situation ngayon. Titingnan natin, lumilipat din tayo sa renewable (energy) at kami nagsimula niyan. In Ilocos Norte, we were able to put up ‘yung pinakaunang commercial wind farm sa Southeast Asia,” boasted Marcos.

RATING: FALSE

FACTS:

NorthWind Power Development Corporation (NPDC) owns and operates the Bangui Windmills, not Marcos. NPDC was acquired by AC Energy Holdings which is under the Ayala Group of Companies.

While it is true that the construction of the project was made during Marcos’ term as Ilocos Norte governor, it was not his brainchild. Even he admitted that it was a “private commercial enterprise” in an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel in 2010.

The town of Bangui was chosen as the site of the project following a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory which said that the area has an “excellent wind resource for village power applications.” Reports said the project produces 52 megawatts of power.

It was made possible by the support that the World Bank gave to NPDC in 2004. The Danish International Development Agency also provided interest-free loans estimated at around $30 million, based on reports.

“The World Bank supported the project through the Prototype Carbon Fund, enabling its operator, the Northwind Power Development Corporation, to generate more resources through the sale of ‘carbon emission reduction credits’ under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol,” said the World Bank Philippines in a Facebook post last January 18, 2021.

This 52-MW wind farm along the long stretch of Bangui Bay in Ilocos Norte provides clean power for the province,…

Posted by World Bank Philippines on Monday, January 18, 2021

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Marcos capitalizes on the Bangui Windmills as part of his campaign. He has even used this as the theme of his political advertisements being aired on television and various online platforms. He also takes credits for the project on his website.

Independent fact-checkers, including Rappler and Fact Check Philippines, have already published materials countering the false claim made by Marcos and his supporters.

As of writing, the post on Marcos’ official Facebook page, which gained new engagements in the last few days, has more than 77,000 reactions, 12,000 comments, and 30,000 shares.

News5 is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph

(PM)

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