Multi-million power plant criticized

CEBU, Philippines - While a P41-million, 340-megawatt coal-fired power plant to be built in Toledo City is seen to help Cebu's power woe, an environmental advocate is criticizing it as reason why the province should be called as "coal capital" of the country.

Atty. Gloria Ramos, Philippine Earth Justice Center co-founder, questioned why such a plant should be set up when it adds to pollution in Cebu.

"It's a sad news and will make Cebu the 'Coal Capital of the Philippines'," she said.

Aboitiz Power will build the coal-fired power plant in Barangay Bato, Toledo City. The plant is expected to be operational on the third quarter of 2017.

"Have we measured Cebu's carrying capacity in allowing another carbon emitting power plant to operate?  Why can't we be like Negros and try clean and renewable energy? We deserve that," Ramos said.

She said Cebu has forgotten to seriously consider the need for restoring ecological integrity and resources conservation by stopping carbon emissions.

Ramos said Toledo City is part of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, where the level of mercury is high.

She also lamented that there is neither a functional Protected Area Management Board nor a management plan for the area, aside from the non-implementation of the Solid Waste Management Law and the Clean Air Act.

Earlier, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice-Cebu, Cebu Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Environment, Freedom from Debt Coalition-Cebu, and Sanlakas-Sugbo reiterated their call for an immediate moratorium in the issuance of coal-fired power plant permits not just in Cebu but in the entire country.

The PMCJ, which is under the Reclaim Power Campaign, is lobbying for the country to abandon its "dirty energy track," which is putting premium on intensive investment in coal plants and mining, and shifting to renewable energy options.

According to the group, coal is the main sources of global warming through its huge carbon dioxide emissions, and there is no such thing as clean coal.

"The push for more coal project is intended to support an export oriented economy that not only favors the elite and breads inequality but has also driven global warming and climate change," read the group's statement.

Department of Energy data shows that to date, the Visayas grid has a total dependable capacity of 867.7mw, of which 612.8mw is generated by coal-fired power plants. — (FREEMAN)