Perceived effect of wind turbine in the community of San Lorenzo, Guimaras

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the perceived effect of wind turbine in the community of San Lorenzo, Guimaras. Specifically, the study aimed to determine 1) the personal profile of the respondents, 2) the perceived effect of wind turbine in the environment, economic, social and physical aspects; and, 3) the overall major positive and negative impact of the wind turbine. The one-shot data survey design was used in this study to gather data from 312 households in San Lorenzo Guimaras using a researcher developed questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive data analysis, frequency, percentage distribution and mean were used in this study. The study showed that the respondents are mostly at the age range of 31 and below, female, married, with high school level of education, housewives/ unemployed/students, residents of their community for an average of 32.69 years, and an average of 326.59 meters from the nearest wind turbine. Their perceived effect of the wind turbines included environmental effects such as decrease in birds and floral population and diversity and increase in scenic beauty of the area and land area with physical structures; economic effects which included increase in property value, occupational opportunities, tourist visit, economy of the community and income of households; social effects like increase in population of the community and new residents in the community and decrease in proliferation of vices and peace and order in the community; and physical effects like increase in road quality, transport quality, opened tourist spots/destination and houses’ quality. The respondents are generally in favor of the wind turbine in their community because of its positive impact even though they are not directly benefited by the establishment of the wind turbine in their community.