Group mulls case for land use change
SanLakas-Cebu may consult its legal counsel in filing legal charges against those individuals who approved the changing of land classification use for the proposed 300-megawatt coalfired power plant in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City.
“Naa mi plano nga mag-consult sa lawyers regarding sa gi-approve nga permit sa Ludo changing their (land) classification. Naa mi posibilidad nga mokiha sa responsible niini,” said Teody Navea, SanLakas-Cebu Secretary-General.
It was in December last year that the Cebu City Zoning Board members Jose Daluz III and Jerry Guardo presented their report before the other members of the City Council, stating that the reclassification of land use from Industrial I to II is “not averse to conform its use.”
On Dec. 20 2016, the power firm asked authority from the council on the reclassification of the land use from Industrial I to II.
Daluz said SanLakasCebu has the freedom to file charges.
He pointed out that what was approved during the earlier regular session was the endorsement of the project to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources subject to applicable laws and regulations.
“I am not sure but it was a variance in the zoning or use classification and not a change in the classification of the land,”Daluz added.
He said it will be the DENR that will approve the application of Ludo Power Corporation in the changing of classification of land use.
The FREEMAN tried but failed to reach Environmental Management Bureau-7 Regional Director Engr. William Cuñado.
Last Wednesday, SanLakas members intentionally placed dirt and grease on their bodies to signify the harsh effects of too much carbon emission, as they marched from P. Del Rosario Street to Colon Street.
Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña, for his part, said that the proposed 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant is “outrageous” due to its too much carbon emissions.
“300 mega is outrageous…300 mega is about 250 truckloads of coal daily. I will not stop them from putting power plant but not more than 30 mega,” he said.
Osmeña vowed to support the public and environmental organizations in their concern about how harmful the proposed coal plant to the community.
Right now, the corporation is processing for the Environmental Compliance Certificate to be issued by DENR-central office in Manila.
It was on February this year that Ludo Power Corporation revived the proposed 300 megawatt coalfired power plant after being rejected by the city council in April 2016.
Meanwhile, the Greenpeace Southeast Asia, based on their report "Coal a Public Health Crisis," said that coal undeniably contributes to global warming and that the dangers it poses to human health represent the hidden costs of coal use that the industry and their allies attempt to conceal.
"Burning coal affects the environment, human health and wildlife, and is a
major contributor to climate change," the report said.
The report added that the Philippines, which ranked 1st in the world for countries most affected by climate change in 2013, is particularly vulnerable to the health risks posed by coal use.
Yet, the country continues to be heavily dependent on coal energy.
It said that more than one third of the energy used to generate electricity in the Philippines comes from burning coal and several new coal plants are expected to start commercial operations by 2020.
It added that the Department of Energy continues to award new Coal Operating Contracts (COC) for exploration, with at least 39 new COCs awarded in 2015 alone.
"Considering the Philippines’ rising population, poor health outcomes, and the scarcity of resources needed to adapt to the worst effects of climate change, the country should end its heavy dependence on coal as an energy source and accelerate initiatives involving renewable energy (RE) resources to meet its energy demands," the report said.
It said that RE is emerging as the energy of choice for an increasing number of communities and local government units.
"It is therefore recommended that the government phases out of coal and fully embrace RE sources in the Philippines based on public health considerations," the report further reads.