Bets urged to reveal position on use of coal

Environmental advocates urged presidential candidates yesterday to disclose their position on the continued use of coal as a source of energy.

The appeal was made as the commitment agreed upon in the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris will be signed on April 22 during the celebration of Earth Day.

“The Philippines is set to contribute to keeping the global average temperature at 1.5 degrees through various means, including decarbonization,” said Sanlakas secretary general Aaron Pedrosa.

“In spite of our position as a leader in the campaign for climate justice internationally, the Philippines seems to be left behind in terms of shifting away from fossil fuels, particularly coal,” Pedrosa added.

He identified Batangas, Cebu and Ozamis as among the prospective areas for new coal plants.

“Despite opposition from host communities and stakeholders, the government remains committed in putting up new coal plants, even as concerns have been raised not only over health and environment impacts but also the government’s Paris commitment in combating the effects of climate change,” Pedrosa said.

He said 27 coal-fired power plants have been approved by the Aquino administration, with 118 coal mining permits in the pipeline.

“It is time for the presidential bets to choose their side, whether to continue the Aquino government’s path to destruction brought about by coal or will they side with the Filipino people in shifting toward a cleaner, more sustainable renewable energy,” Pedrosa said.

Gerry Arances, executive director of the Center for Energy, Ecology and Development, said China, the United States and European countries have started to phase out coal to combat climate change.

Meanwhile, militant workers warned the camp of Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II against any attempt to manipulate the results of the May 9 elections.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said workers would expose the “maneuvers” of Roxas and his supporters in the coming days.

“The video about the envelopes is a clear sign that Roxas cannot cheat the elections,” KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis said in a statement.

The video footage, Adonis said, highlighted Roxas’ failure to draw crowds in his campaign sorties.

“With less than a month before the elections, Roxas’ campaign team is now in panic mode trying to boost his ratings,” Adonis added. –