He released a pastoral letter that he said is the stand, constitution and road map of the Diocese of Balanga concerning the environment.
He said that the province has already two power plants (San Miguel Global Power and GN Power Plant) using coal, Refinery Solid Fuel Fired Power Plant (RSFFPP) using coal and petcoke, a fuel oil waste product, and Panasia Power Plant consuming diesel and fuel oil.
The prelate said the Bataan Oil Refinery that is has been operating for more than 50 years supports the fuel needs of Panasia and in part, of the RSFFPP.
GN Power Plant is in Mariveles town while the others including the Bataan Oil Refinery are in Limay, adjacent to barangay Lamao.
The pastoral letter was prepared after parishes in Limay and nearby villages in Mariveles like Sisiman and Alas-Asin conducted studies about the effects of the plants to health and the environment from October to December last year.
“Sila mismo ang tumawag ng pansin sa atin na sila’y nahihirapan sa paghinga, maraming bata ang hinihika, may nakitang patay na isda at nag-iiba kulay ng dahon ng mga halaman at kahoy at madaling malanta at mamatay,” the bishop said.
“Tanggapin natin na iba ang init sa Lamao kumpara sa ibang bayan,” he said.
The bishop said that power plants using coal and petroleum products affect the health of people because of its effects on the air, water and the soil. “Accepted ng lahat na ang coal ay may masamang epekto na kapag pinabayaan ay malubha ang resulta sa tao,” he said.
He said that Bataan can do nothing but accept the fi ve plants and demand some measures.
“Ano pa magagawa natin, nandiyan na. Hindi naman tayo nakikipagtuligsaan, gumagawa ng kaaway. Nandiyan na, tanggapin na pero heto panawagan natin sa mga kapitalista– pagbutihin, ayusin at be responsible, be accountable,” Santos said.
He likened the plants to a running passenger jeepney using diesel fuel. “Kapag nakita na maitim ang usok ng tambutso, sinasabihan na i-check ang emission, palitan o baguhin,” he said.
“Ganyan ang panawagan natin. Hindi papahintuin dahil nandiyan na at maraming manggagawa pero dapat may pananagutan at higit na pangangasiwa ang gawin. Meron ng lima, tama na. Huwag ng higit pa na masisira ang tubig, hangin at lupa,” the bishop said.
He said that other provinces reject coalfired power plants and conduct protest actions but the plants were silently and successfully built in Bataan.
“Tinatawanan ang Bataan. So, dapat ang mga kapitalista ay may pananagutan, pangangasiwa, pagsasaayos at pagbutihin ang nakatayo ng mga planta subalit wala nang darating pa. Tapos na, tama na, sapat na,” Santos said.
He said that Bataan has already done its share in the economy of the country. “Huwag namang dito ng dito maglagay ng planta. Huwag sobra dahil ang sobra nakakalason, nakakasama. Ang labis nakakasira,” he said.
Santos called on Local Government Units to be open to alternative sources of energy like sun, wind and water and to monitor closely the existing power plants. He urged local officials to listen to the plight of affected residents.
To capitalists, he asked them to invest more in solar panels and stop expanding coal plants.
