PNOC pulls out of Isabela coal project

ILAGAN, Isabela — Apparently feeling the heat of incessant public protests here and in the process failing to obtain an environmental compliance certificate, the Philippine National Oil Corp. (PNOC) has finally decided to back out of a controversial project that will put up a 167-MW coal power plant in this province.

Protest actions were staged by thousands of residents in Cauayan City and the towns of Naguilian and Benito Soliven opposing the national government-backed power plant.

In a statement sent to The STAR yesterday, Gov. Grace Padaca lauded the company’s decision to pull out of the project, saying that "maybe this is not yet the right time for the coal mine project" in the area.

Nothing, however, was wasted as knowledge was gained from the proposals for the coal-powered plant and the protests against it, she said.

The project, she added, started "on the wrong foot" during the term of her predecessor, former governor Faustino Dy Jr.

"When they started working on the project during the time of former governor Faustino Dy Jr., many people in the coal areas felt that the project was being rammed down their throats without proper and sufficient consultation. So it was looked upon with much doubt and fear," the former broadcast journalist-turned governor said.

When she became governor, Padaca requested the PNOC to consult the people.

"It seems that, no matter how hard the PNOC tried, they were not able to neutralize or turn around the initial negative impressions of the people on the project. Hence, they decided to shelve it," Padaca said.