Groups oppose proposal to build coal-fired power plants in Cebu

Nongovernment organizations including Fidec, Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc. and Farmers Development Center organize a forum on the harmful effects of coal to people’s health and the environment

Coal is the number one source of greenhouse gas that causes global warming, groups say

ENVIRONMENT protection advocates are calling for a moratorium on construction of coal-fired power plants, citing the ill-effects of coal combustion waste to people’s health and the environment.

“Coal- fired power plants ( CFPP) are one of the biggest sources of manmade carbon emissions in the planet. Despite this common concern, DOE still wants to further aggravate the climate crisis by announcing to put up additional 12 CFPPs in the country, bringing the total to 21 CFPPs,” said Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc. (Fidec) director Owen Migraso in a statement.

“This move by the government only shows its true colors by pursuing profitoriented, coal-based energy policy under the façade of promoting clean and renewable energy resources,” he said.

A forum on the harmful effects of coal to people’s health and the environment was organized by nongovernment organizations including Fidec, Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc. (PEJC) and Farmers Development Center (Fardec).

Lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, PEJC co-founder, said Cebu is already hosting three coal-fired power plants in the cities of Naga and Toledo.

She said Toledo City is part of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) and called on government officials to focus on programs for environmental protection.

“Coal is never sustainable. It is the number one source of greenhouse gas that causes global warming,” she said.

Lemnuel Aragones, marine mammal expert, said the biodiversity and protection of TSPS are threatened. He said there was a decline in the population of dolphins after the seismic surveys that produced noise and disturbance in the marine environment.

He said “there is scientific basis to argue that development initiatives were misplaced.”

Dr. Romeo Quijano, a Manila-based toxicologist, said coal has toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment that cause illnesses including cancer. These chemicals include mercury, cadmium and arsenic. “There is no beneficial use for coal ash. It just distributes the toxins,” said Quijano.

“We also call for the complete reversal of coal-oriented energy policy of the government and push for a genuine propeople and pro-environment energy policy,” he said.