The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has officially canceled the procurement of the Mayon Volcano Heritage Aesthetic Lighting Project following public criticism on Wednesday, March 26.
In a statement, TIEZA announced that the decision to terminate the project stemmed from concerns raised by stakeholders and government agencies, as well as the need to secure full stakeholder acceptance before moving forward.
The project, which was under the Design and Build Scheme, had an approved budget of PHP 500 million. The agency cited Section 41 (c)(i) of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) as the legal basis for the cancellation.
This provision allows the Head of the Procuring Entity (HOPE) to reject bids or declare a failure of bidding if significant physical or economic conditions render the project no longer economically, financially, or technically feasible.
The cancellation also nullifies the bid evaluation of the lone bidder, a joint venture between Amigo Entertainment Technologies, Inc. and BF Corporation.
TIEZA has not provided specific details on the concerns raised but emphasized the importance of ensuring public support and regulatory compliance before undertaking large-scale infrastructure projects.
The Mayon Volcano Heritage Aesthetic Lighting Project aimed to enhance the visual appeal of Mayon Volcano—one of the country's most iconic natural landmarks—particularly for nighttime tourism. However, the initiative faced opposition from environmental advocates and cultural heritage groups, who raised concerns about its potential impact on the volcano's natural beauty and ecosystem.
Adding to the opposition, Acting Governor of Albay, Baby Glenda Ong-Bongao, released a formal statement urging TIEZA to discontinue the project.
In her statement, she emphasized that the lighting project did not take into account the province's designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve or its ongoing nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List as the Mayon Volcano Cultural Landscape.
Governor Ong-Bongao highlighted that the project could jeopardize these prestigious designations, noting that the Albay Biosphere Reserve is subject to a periodic evaluation by UNESCO in 2026.
She warned that the lighting installations could be deemed detrimental to the conservation goals outlined in the Albay Biosphere Reserve Management Plan and the Protected Area Management Plan for Mayon Volcano Natural Park.
The governor also underscored the volcano's significance in local religious traditions, warning that artificial lighting could desacralize a site revered by Indigenous communities and devout Albayanos.
"While the Provincial Government of Albay appreciates the objective of the Mayon Volcano Heritage Aesthetic 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," Ong-Bongao stated.
As of now, Albayanos and Bicolanos have expressed their delight over the cancellation of the lighting project.
