Plan to light up Mayon nixed

A view of Mayon Volcano as a backdrop to Albay Gulf in Legazpi City. PHOTO BY RHAYDZ BARCIA

A public consultation of stakeholders for the project was conducted in two sites in Albay on March 22 and 23, but Bongao said the study has not considered the declaration of Albay as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve as well as the ongoing nomination of Mayon Volcano to the Unesco World Heritage List.

"As a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, Albay is globally recognized as a learning area and model for sustainable development in which development programs and projects are conscientiously reconciled with the conservation of natural resources and preservation of the natural environment for future generations," Ong-Bongao said.

Albay was designated as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve during the term of Joey Salceda as governor in 2016.

Ong-Bongao said the project is deemed detrimental to the conservation function of the Albay Biosphere Reserve, especially since it is not included in the Albay Biosphere Reserve Management Plan submitted to Unesco, and in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Protected Area Management Plan for Mayon Volcano Natural Park.

"The Albay Biosphere Reserve is subject to periodic evaluation by Unesco in 2026 and is at risk of being delisted as a Biosphere Reserve should the lighting project push through as it is not aligned with the existing management plans for the site," Ong-Bongao said.

She said that while the provincial government appreciates the objective of the lighting project to draw tourists to Albay, it deems that the same objective can be achieved with the successful designation of Mayon Volcano as a Unesco World Heritage Site as other sites in the Philippines have demonstrated.

"At this point, the lighting project is not in line with its vision to be an internationally outstanding site with two Unesco designations," she said.

"More importantly, it is not in line with the natural and cultural values that Albayanos traditionally associate with Mayon Volcano. To this end, the Provincial Government of Albay urges the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority to discontinue the project."

Legazpi City Mayor Alfredo Garbin, meanwhile, posted on his Facebook account that there is "no build zone" within the 6-kilometer radius around Mayon, an active volcano.

This is the second time that the proposed lighting of Mayon drew flak in Albay.

In 2019, Ako Bicol party-list founder Rep. Elizaldy Co also proposed the lighting of Mayon but did not pursue the plan following a strong opposition from various sectors, including the church.

Niño Ruperto Aquino, Tieza chairperson of bids and awards committee, issued a statement on the termination and cancellation of the project on Monday.

"This is to inform that the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority is cancelling the procurement of Mayon Volcano Heritage Aesthetic Lighting at Albay under design and build scheme with an approved budget for the contract P500 million due to some issues from concerned stakeholders and government agencies, and the need to obtain full stakeholder's acceptability of the project," Aquino said in a statement.

Catholic leaders in Albay also voiced strong opposition to a proposed lighting project, citing environmental, cultural and ethical concerns in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Bishop Joel Baylon and the clergy of the Legazpi Diocese denounced the plan, arguing that installing laser and spotlight systems on the volcano's slopes would "disrespect nature and disrupt wildlife in the area."

While proponents frame the project as a tourism initiative aimed at boosting economic activity, church leaders called it a "misguided" and unnecessary intervention.

"Mayon does not need to be lighted up. She needs to be left alone," the diocese stated.

"Mayon is already one of the most magnificent expressions of God's creation — not because of what we add to her, but because of what she already is. To impose artificial light upon her is not to honor her, but to disturb what has been naturally, silently and majestically proclaimed for generations."

Church leaders also raised concerns over the allocation of public funds, particularly as many Albay residents struggle with power outages, inadequate infrastructure and unfulfilled development promises.

"It is painful — and frankly offensive — to see massive public funds being diverted to something so impractical, unnecessary and cosmetic," the church said.

"What urgently needs illumination are our provincial and barangay roads to prevent nighttime accidents and deter crime — not the slopes of a volcano that already glows on its own."