President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. highlighted during his inaugural address Thursday, June 30, the famous wind farm project in Ilocos Norte as being his handiwork.
Marcos brought up the project while as he tackled environmental sustainability in his speech and what his administration plans to do on the subject.
"And bigger is not always better; but there is something to be said for economies of scale. And yet the country invites investments in fast rising industries with quick returns — and inflicts irreparable damage for future generations," he said.
"We have yet to see large-scale practical solutions to pollution. Though some are beginning to emerge. But there are tried and proven new ways of mitigation. Blades have been turning over the sand dunes of Ilocos Norte, harnessing a power all around but unseen, long before this day. I built them," said Marcos.
The newly-inaugurated leader was referring to was the Bangui Wind Farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte in northern Philippines. Ilocos Norte is Marcos’s home province.
Commissioned on June 20, 2005, the particular wind farm uses 20 units of 70-meter high Vestas V82 1.65 megawatt wind turbines, arranged in a single row stretching along nine kilometers. The turbines are facing the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos, 64, is a former Ilocos Norte governor.
The wind farm has also become a jump-off point for sustainability discussions between Marcos and special envoys.
He continued his speech by commenting on climate change responsibility: "The rich world talks a great deal but does a lot less about it than those with much less, but who suffer more death and destruction from climate change and lack of adaptation."
"We will look to our partners and friends to help the Philippines, who, despite having a very small carbon footprint, is at the highest risk. First, spare victims; then help them recover; and move on to lessen the harmful impact of climate change," he said.
But Marcos didn't completely absolve the Philippines on this matter, as he shouldn't.
"We too have our part to play; we are the third biggest plastics polluter in the world. But we won’t shirk from that responsibility; we will clean up," he vowed.