Group vows to prove power plant 'violations'

The Cebu Alliance for Renewable Energy, along with medical doctors and marine biologists, yesterday collected sample specimen near the vicinity of the coal-fired power plant in Naga to determine the level of toxicity in the area.

CARE Provincial Coordinator Vince Cinches said that they have collected hair samples from the residents of the area, water samples and ashes from the seabed near the coal-fired power plant.

Cinches said the collection of specimen in the area came after they discovered that the pH level and salinity of potable water in Naga is high, which means that water within the vicinity of the coal-fired power plant is salty and acidic. The pH level of a liquid quantifies its acidity or alkalinity.

The samples that the group gathered yesterday will be sent to the Philippine Institute for Pure and Applied Chemistry for analysis, to determine the presence of lead, chromium and mercury.

Engr. Vic Obando, a resident of the place, said that they have also discovered thick ashes in the seabed near the power plant.

" Thick ashes was discovered 50 meters away from the shoreline and we have not seen any living organism or marine life there, which means, marine life is already dead," Obando said.

The group will submit the results of the different tests to the agency handling the power plant's application for an environmental compliance certificate.

"We would like to extend to them the hazards brought about by these plants. We will also be going to Toledo today for more samplings to be done," Cinches said. - Jasmin R. Uy