CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Priests, local officials, academicians, youths and activists in Central Luzon have joined hands in their effort to block two coal-fired power plant projects endorsed by the Department of Energy (DoE).
“We have forged together to stop the construction and expansion of coal-fired power plants along the coastal line of Zambales and Bataan in defense of mother nature and motherland,” said a statement issued by the protesters headed by Center for Environmental and Development Service, Inc. (CEDSI) executive director Rev. Fr. Rolando de Leon, Zambales Social Action Center director Rev. Fr. John Mara and, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) national chairman emeritus Rodolfo Sambajon.
Last December, the DoE granted certificates of endorsement (COEs) to 13 companies planning to construct coal-fired power plants which can generate a combined 2,439 megawatts of power in various parts of the country. A COE is a requirement for the operation of proposed, existing or newly built power generation facilities.
The COE’s cover a new 600 megawatt plant in Mariveles, Bataan and the expansion of an existing one in Masinloc, Zambales to boost its production by another 1,200 megawatts.
The DoE awarded the COEs to Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd., SMI Power Corp., Sunwest Water and Electric Co., King Energy Corp., Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp., Unisan Biomass Corp., Udenna Corp., Hacienda Bio-Energy, and Petron Corp.
Also granted COEs were Bicol Hydropower Corp., San Ramon Power Inc., Energy World Corp. Ltd., and GNPower Mariveles Coal Plant Ltd. Co.
The protesters’ statement noted that “we are already experiencing worsening effects of climate change and so we must repond to challenges of protecting our environment and defending the patrimony of our country against those who are exploiting it for personal profit.”
“People’s organizations, environment and academic and religious institutions from various parts of Central Luzon have united to block the potential damages that can be caused by the ancient coal plant technology,” the statement said, noting that folk living within the 30 to 100 mile radius from the plant locations would be most adversely affected.
“Such coal-fired technology will aggravate the effects of climate change because of the emission of mercury and greenhouse gases. Along with these are the dangers to health and livelihood of the people who will be directly affected by the plant’s operations,” the statement added.
The statement cited historical precedents showing that “people affected by coal plants suffered from destruction of environment that eventually led to displacement and loss of their livelihood, as well as health problems.”
“We have agreed to form a broad network united by the call to defend nature and people, health and livelihood,” the statement said, as it also called for “nationalized renewable and sustainable energy sources” as alternative.
Companies which were issued COE’s by the government are now reportedly working out for their certificates of compliance (COC) to be issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission. The COC will allow them to either start or continue operating the facilities.
Valid for five years, a COC would ensure that a power plant will not compromise the health and safety of communities where it operates.
It also assures the public that the owner of the power plant will strictly adhere with the cross-ownership and market share limitations stated in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) toward the prevention of market power abuse.
