FPI urges gov’t to address environmental issues

MANILA, Philippines - The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) urged the government to address a recurring issue among investors and businessmen such as the perceived abuses in the use of the Writ of Kalikasan.

The so-called writ is a legal remedy under Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedures for Environmental Cases which provides for the protection one’s right to “a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

Although FPI supports such remedies, its president Jesus Arranza said “this should not serve as a blanket authority to use legitimate weapons like the Writ of Kalikasan to scuttle projects that are actually environment- and job-friendly.”

“Big, long-term investments must not be held hostage by cases arising from misguided or unfounded environmental fears,” he said.

He said one such project affected by the Writ is a 600 MW coal-fired power plant at the Subic freeport, which has encountered a legal roadblock at the Court of Appeals (CA), through the Writ of Kalikasan case.

The group believes the project does not involven pollution or threats to the environment.

As such, he said the government should give top attention to kick-starting enough power-generation projects to keep up with the expected surge in demand brought about by the foreseen growth in foreign direct investments (FDIs).

“It should look towards treating investors in the power sector as enabling partners because businesses need power, and that more importantly, this should be reliable, sustainable and cost efficient.”

Citing statistics from the DOE’s Power Development Plan for 2009-2030, the FPI chairman said the government-projected annual energy demand hike of 4.8 percent for Luzon alone means the island will need an additional capacity of 10,500 MW over the next two decades.

“We at FPI believe that the Government must capitalize on our new found investment-grade status to attract more private investments by taking bold steps to reduce the cost of doing business and level the playing field,” he said.

Redondo Peninsula Energy is the proponent of the 600-MW plant. It is a consortium composed of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) Power Generation Corp., Aboitiz Power Corp. and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp.