MANILA (Feb 23, 2026 07:10 PM PHT) – Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Monday called for a Senate investigation into the construction of the Cabanglasan Hydropower Plant in San Fernando, Bukidnon, saying the facility was built without permission from the local government

“The Local Government of San Fernando, Bukidnon did not issue a building or construction permit to the Cabanglasan Hydropower Plant — a subsidiary of Repower Energy Development Corporation,” Tulfo said in a privilege speech.

“Parang kahalintulad po ito sa minahan sa Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Viscaya na walang permit sa LGU (local government unit) pero nag-operate. Since when did compliance become optional? Kailan pa naging balewala ang kapangyarihan ng local government?” he said.

During the plant’s test run in November, it supposedly released water that flooded crops of nearly a hundred farmers, Tulfo said.

“Homes were left on the brink of collapse. Livelihoods were wiped out in a single surge. And where were the regulators, Mr. President? … Bakit tila walang agarang aksyon [ang mga regulator]?” he said.

Tulfo wants the investigation to determine whether the Department of Energy and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources failed in their oversight duties and who will be held responsible for the farmers’ losses. (RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News)