The controversial Mayon Volcano Heritage Aesthetic Lighting Project, initially estimated to cost P1.3 billion, has been cancelled amid the intense public backlash, with critics questioning its feasibility, transparency, and necessity.
The project was proposed as a tourism initiative to enhance the visibility of the iconic volcano at night. Despite its cancellation, the concerns remain over the fate of the remaining funds allocated for the project.
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), through its project consultant Solar Surveying Corporation, conducted public consultations in the towns of Daraga and Sto. Domingo in Albay on March 22-23, 2025.
Public outcry and opposition
However, the said hearings were marred by poor coordination and lack of transparency, as some attendees claimed they were unaware of the meetings until they saw social media posts.
Jessica Wong, the president of the Association of Accredited Travel Agencies in Bicol, stated that the organization never received any formal letter as an invitation for the said consultation meeting.
“It’s come to my attention that there are scheduled public consultations about the PHP 1.3 BILLION project to light up Mayon Volcano. But here’s the kicker: there’s no clear announcement of the schedule, and tourism stakeholders are kept in the dark. As the President of the Association of Accredited Travel Agencies in Bicol, I never received any formal letter about this consultation meeting. I would think our organization should be one of the initial stakeholders,” Wong stated in her Facebook post.
Following the consultations, the provincial government of Albay issued a statement on March 24, 2025, urging TIEZA to scrap the project altogether. Acting governor Baby Glenda Ong Bongao emphasized that the feasibility study failed to consider Albay’s designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and its ongoing nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which recognizes its exceptional natural beauty.
Similarly, the Diocese of Legazpi also opposed the project, warning that it could damage the natural and sacred beauty of Mayon. Bishop Joel Baylon and local clergy stressed that the volcano “needs to be left alone” and urged that the funds be redirected to more pressing needs such as road lighting, flood control, and social services.
This is not the first time the lighting project has been proposed and subsequently abandoned. A similar plan in 2019 was also scrapped after being deemed economically and environmentally unfeasible. The revival of the project has left Albayanos questioning its motivations, especially amid persistent power outages and infrastructure problems in the region.
“May proposal na rin niyan noong 2019, pagkakatanda ko. Bakit binalik na naman ngayon? Yung power crisis nga ng Albay, hindi nila maayos-ayos. Sayang ang pera ng bayan at syempre, makakasira pa sa natural na itsura ng Mayon,” Jeffrey Andrew Bañadera, from Sto. Domingo lamented.
On a legal matter
Environmental lawyer Atty. Taikee Calleja raised serious legal concerns over the project’s compliance with environmental laws and budget transparency. He pointed out that under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act (RA 7586, as expanded by RA 11038), any infrastructure project in a protected area requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and proper public consultations—neither of which, he argued, were adequately conducted.
“Mayon Volcano is part of a protected area. Any infrastructure there requires a full environmental assessment, including consultations with local stakeholders. This project affects multiple municipalities, yet there was no widespread consultation. If there’s no proper consultation, they can’t secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC),” he explained.
What’s Next?
Today, March 25, Mayor Alfredo Garbin of Legazpi City posted on his Facebook page a copy of a Notice of Termination, signed by Atty. Nino Aquino, in which TIEZA officially declared the cancellation of the PHP 500 million procurement process. However, the absence of a specific date on the document has raised concerns among stakeholders, casting doubt on whether the project is genuinely and permanently shelved.
The notice states:
“This is to inform you 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 of Five Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) due to concerns raised by stakeholders and government agencies and the need to obtain full stakeholder acceptability of the project.”
It cites Section 41(c)(i) of the Revised IRR of RA 9184, which allows cancellation if physical and economic conditions have significantly changed, rendering the project no longer economically, financially, or technically feasible.
While TIEZA canceled the PHP 500 million procurement, the fund is still existing in the General Appropriations Act, including the PHP 750 million which was budgeted in 2025. With mounting opposition, legal challenges, and financial scrutiny, Albayanos continue to demand transparency and accountability in how public funds are spent.
In light of the widespread opposition and concerns raised by environmental groups, local officials, and residents, the future of the Mayon Volcano lighting project remains uncertain. While the initiative aimed to boost tourism, it has instead sparked a broader conversation on the responsible use of public funds, the preservation of cultural and natural heritage, and the need for more inclusive decision-making in development projects.I Nicole Castillo, Helen Grace Balean, Angela Antivola