A proposed 2 x 350‑megawatt coal‑fired power facility in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte will undergo public scoping on December 3, 2026, as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau opens the floor for community feedback that will shape the project’s environmental review.
Developer H&WB Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. Corp. will present an overview of the ₱107.08‑billion super‑critical pulverized coal power plant during the scoping session, where the public may raise concerns, issues, and relevant information for inclusion in the project’s environmental assessment. The feedback gathered carries heavy policy significance, as community input helps regulators evaluate whether the proposed power facility balances energy security goals against environmental and local‑community impacts.
The proposed power complex will occupy roughly 54.06 hectares of land, plus 4.17 hectares of offshore marine facilities. Proponents said the plant is designed to reinforce the Luzon Grid by supplying steady baseload power to meet the Philippines’ rising energy demand and sustain economic growth. The site is currently uninhabited, covered mostly by shrubs, cogon grass, coconut trees, and patches of secondary‑growth forest.
Plans also include a three‑kilometer concrete access road following the alignment of an existing dirt road, extending the secondary national road network. The Department of Public Works and Highways is set to implement the road, which will transport construction materials, heavy equipment, plant personnel, and emergency response vehicles throughout the facility’s construction and operational stages.
The developer highlighted socio‑economic benefits for the host community and the nation, including business taxes, property taxes, permit fees, corporate income tax, and higher National Tax Allotment for local government units. Additional revenue, proponents said, would help fund local public infrastructure, basic services, and community development programs.
The project’s environmental design relies on high‑efficiency, low‑emission coal technology, intended to boost thermal efficiency and cut emission intensity while meeting prevailing environmental standards.
Department of Energy data as of end‑June 2026 shows coal remains the country’s largest on‑grid power source, with an installed capacity of 13,024 MW, or 40.6 percent of the Philippines’ total installed on‑grid capacity.
Public feedback submitted during the scoping stage serves as a critical checkpoint for regulators, allowing residents and stakeholders to flag risks before DENR‑EMB proceeds with its environmental evaluation of the Camarines Norte power project.
