Unexpected but welcome development!
Yesterday, eco-advocates opposing the construction of the 300 megawatt coal thermal power plant in Barangay SawangCalero, Cebu City rejoiced upon hearing the good news that a letter had been sent to the Environmental Management Bureau-7 requesting that the application for permit filed by the Ludo Power Corporation be denied.
The March 17 letter was sent by the Villanueva Tabucanon and Associates Law Office in behalf of their clients, Kelly Luym, PaternoLuym, and Ludo &Luym Foundation, Inc., stockholders of Ludo and Luym Corporation (LLC).
The letter wrote that "the clients maintain that beginning 2001 until the present, LLC has not called for a stockholders' meeting, thus the proposed power plant could not have validly been approved by the LLC." The letter also noted that should the prior case (SRC-242-CEB) filed with the trial court "rule against the individuals claiming to be directors of LLC, any contract with Ludo Power Corporation will necessarily be invalidated and may result in the stoppage of any operation by the Ludo Power Corporation. A shelved power plant project will certainly expose the residents surrounding the plant to toxic and hazardous materials given the nature of the operation."
Ludo Power Plant maintains that their proposed coal-fired power plant is a modern type of plant that will not harm the environment.
Archbishop Palma, during the Breakfree from Coal Forum at the USJ-R held last March 25, 2017 stated: "The proponents of the 300 Megawatt (MW) coal thermal power plant have seen the seeming economic benefits of their proposal, that such project will create direct and indirect jobs, and likewise will benefit the economic situation of the residents in the surrounding barangays in particular, and the city in general. And yet, we are also convinced as a community that such project will surely destroy our environment, coal being a primary contributor to global warming. We cannot sacrifice the health of the people and the impact to the environment with the business profit of the company who are pushing for the approval of the said coal-fired power plant. "Coal's undeniable contributions to global warming and the dangers it poses to human health represent the hidden costs of coal use that the coal industry and their allies attempt to conceal."
Job creation can be addressed in a sustainable manner, emphasizing the primacy of social and ecological justice over profit-driven business in the guise of development.
"A technological and economic development which does not leave in its wake a better world and an integrally higher quality of life cannot be considered progress. Frequently, in fact, people's quality of life actually diminishes - by the deterioration of the environment, the low quality of food or the depletion of resources - in the midst of economic growth."
Both those who propose and oppose this coal thermal power plant project are anxiously awaiting the action of the EMB-7 as well as the Cebu City Council. Will Cebu City have more good news about the protection of our people and our environment soon?
On the national front, supporters are awaiting the confirmation of anti-mining advocate, Gina Lopez to be announced in the afternoon of May 3. Will Duterte and his supporters in Congress allow Gina Lopez to be officially confirmed as DENR Secretary or will Congress bow to the power of the mining companies instead? Eco-proponents and advocates are keeping their fingers crossed that the happy news of the long-awaited official confirmation of Gina Lopez will be reported soon.
We hope our country will truly be led by genuine environment advocates and practitioners so we can protect our natural resources and maximize its responsible use for the benefit especially of our poor communities and the people.
- Latest
