PB backs Dumanjug-Acciona solar deal

THE Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has approved a resolution supporting the move of Spanish renewable energy company Acciona Energia to directly partner with the Municipality of Dumanjug for a solar power project, instead of proceeding with its earlier joint venture with the Provincial Government.

The resolution, titled “Resolution supporting Acciona Energia’s change in the partnership direction with the Province of Cebu to directly partner with the Municipality of Dumanjug under a build-operate-transfer agreement,” was authored by 6th District PB Member Glenn Anthony Soco and passed unanimously during the Board’s regular session on Monday, June 2, 2025.

“Acciona Energia has expressed its intent to change its partnership direction in pursuing the project by directly partnering with the Municipality of Dumanjug under a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement,” states a portion of the resolution.

Acciona initially entered into a joint venture with the Province of Cebu for the construction of a 150-megawatt solar power plant on a 187-hectare property in Daanbantayan. The company has since expressed its intent to replicate a similar project in Dumanjug, this time under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement directly with the local government unit (LGU).

“Owing to the intent to change in partnership direction, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu fully supports the broader initiative to empower municipalities under the jurisdiction of the Province of Cebu to establish their own economic enterprise, thereby enhancing their capacity to generate local revenue,” another portion of the resolution reads.

Clarifying the support

In a separate interview with the media after the regular session, Soco clarified that the resolution is merely an expression of support for the change in partnership direction.

“First of all, I just want to clarify that this resolution supporting Acciona Energia’s change in partnership direction with the Province of Cebu to directly partner with the Municipality of Dumanjug under a BOT agreement, this was a request from Acciona Energia,” Soco said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

He explained that the request was made during a meeting with the Economic Enterprise Council (EEC) held on May 20, where Dumanjug Mayor Efren “Gungun” Gica was also present.

Soco emphasized that while Acciona had an existing partnership with the Province, it had the right to alter its implementation approach.

“Yes, they partnered with the Cebu Provincial Government. This is their right. You can ask them, but it’s their right. They may change direction, but it really depends on their plan,” Soco said in a mix of Cebuano and English, when asked about the reasons for their change in direction to partner directly with an LGU.

Despite the change in partnership, Soco stated that it has nothing to do with the new administration.

“No, no, no, we really don’t know the reason. This is a corporation. They have their own structure of decision-making, and just like any corporation, they exercise their own discretion as to how they will implement their project,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English, when asked if the timing of the meeting mattered since it occurred after the election.

Board members’ queries

During the regular session, 7th District PB Member Cesar Baricuatro asked about the scale and location of the proposed Dumanjug project, noting that these details were not included in the resolution. Soco clarified that the measure was merely an expression of support.

“Our resolution is only an expression of support,” Soco said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

Meanwhile, 2nd District PB Member Stanley Caminero also raised concerns during the session, questioning the change in approach.

“Would the author cite some insights as to why it will not be definite with the Daanbantayan solar farm, which involves a private company and the Provincial Government? May we know if there is a problem with the setup, leading to a direct-LGU partnership?” Caminero asked.

Soco replied that Acciona simply expressed its preference during the EEC meeting and that no problems with the original arrangement were disclosed.

“If there are any concerns why there is a change of direction, during the last Economic Enterprise Council (EEC) meeting held last May 20, Mr. Chair, the proponent Acciona Energia simply expressed this intention to deal directly with Dumanjug, the Municipality of Dumanjug. Mayor Gungun Gica was also coincidentally present in the ECC,” he responded to Caminero’s query.

Soco stressed the importance of continuing to support investments like these in Cebu.

“What is truly important for us Cebuanos is that their investments here continue, because this will mean more jobs and more opportunities for us and there will be cheaper electricity,” Soco added in a mix of Cebuano and English.

Last March 16, the Cebu Provincial Government, led by outgoing Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, held the capsule-laying and groundbreaking for the 150-megawatt solar power farm project under an LGU-led Public-Private Partnership initiative in Barangay Talisay, Daanbantayan. / CDF