Militants vow to intensify campaign vs coal-fired power plant in Davao
DAVAO CITY – Militant groups vowed to intensify their campaign against the Aboitiz Power- owned Therma South Incorporated (TSI) coal-fired power plant here, claiming that its effects to the environment were already being felt by residents in the surrounding areas of the plant.
On Monday, more than 50 residents from the areas of Toril, Inawayan, Sirawan, Binugao and Astorga in this city and the nearby town of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur gathered for a one-day forum on the negative impacts of coal-fired power plant to the environment.
The gathering was spearheaded by environmental groups Panalipdan in Southern Mindanao (Panalipdan-SMR), the No To Coal Coalition, and Bayan in southern Mindanao (Bayan-SMR).
Professor Kim Gargar of Panalipdan gave a lecture on the effects of coal-fired power plant to the environment and, at the same time, facilitated the gathering of testimonies from the residents in the area who have already experienced the negative effects of the power plant.
Bayan-SMR secretary general Sheena Duazon told the Manila Bulletin here in an interview on Tuesday that participants ventilated their experiences ever since the plant was constructed until it went on full operation.
Among the complaints aired was the possible displacement of some families living near the power plant.
“Some residents complained that they will be displaced from the area where they have resided for more than 30 years. The relocation site is far and that each affected family will only be given 1,500. The Aboitiz-Power does not want residents near the plant,” Duazon pointed out during the interview.
In Astorga, Davao del Sur participants said some trees, especially lanzones, have failed to bear fruits, Duazo added.
Duazo said insects that used to pollinate the fruit bearing trees are now affected by the smoke of the power plant.
In Binugao area, residents also reported, during the forum, the presence of black smoke coming from the plant, particularly at dawn.
Residents also reported seeing an open hole where ashes are deposited, a practice that could endanger more the nearby residential areas near the plant, she added.
“We are now consolidating these experiences and document that will become part of the complaint that we plan to elevate to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City,” Duazo said.
She emphasized that during the hearings conducted by the city council prior to the construction of the plant, Aboitiz-Power denied the issues raised by their group especially on the negative effects of the plant to the residents and environment in the area.
“Now that we have gathered testimonies from the affected residents we will intensify our campaigns and push for the closure of the coal-fired power plant,” she added.