Philippines - Bataan resort uses solar, wind power

Nestled at the highest point of Bataan overlooking the Manila Bay and the Corregidor is a resort being developed by a group headed by former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Felicito “Tong” Payumo into an all renewable energy resort harnessing solar and wind power for its numerous facilities and lighting.

The resort, owned by Tala Properties Inc. of Payumo’s group, is being designed by architect Nestor David (brother of social scientist and media personality Randy David) using completely solar plus micro hydro energy for the club house, swimming pool, houses, street lights, kitchen, 100 individual rooms and other facilities.

The group contracted its solar panels, wind systems and micro hydro systems from Solar Electric Co., founded in the seventies and owned by Robert Lopez Puckett. Solarco will also supply the resort with one unit of electric jeepney that the resort will use for shuttling its guests to and from other important sites in Orani, Bataan.

The resort is also being developed into a camping arena with trekking sites for students, mountain climbers and other interested groups. The cost for using the camping and trekking site is P250 per head.

The group is also negotiating with Solarco for the installation of windmill, being at the tip of the mountain, is windy and cool making it ideal for wind systems, said Puckett.

The hydro system is envisioned to utilize the water power coming from the water falls, where the swimming pool will also be built, Puckett said.

And to complete its being a wholesome ecological enclave, the resort will ferry its clients and guests using the electric jeepney, which was designed by Puckett and manufactured in China. The jeepney might be solar-powered as well, he added.

The resort, being solar powered even before, was where the soldiers of the Armed Forces were charging their cellphones when the power lines in the entire province of Bataan were downed by the recent howler Frank.

Orani is the town before Mt. Samat and is directly connected to the newly-opened Subic-Clark Road.

The operation of this resort is expected to attract tourists for its being a green mountain top resort, making it ideal as summer sojourns and family and social outings since it is only two to 2.5 hours away from Manila, Puckett said.