BACOLOD City – Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has issued an executive order (EO) declaring Negros Occidental as coal-free.
The governor announced his move before an estimated 2,000 Negrense youth who joined the “Youth Strike for Negros” protest rally at the Provincial Capitol grounds on Wednesday.
“Climate change is here already, so we must protect our environment, we must conserve,” the governor said.
EO No. 19-08, signed by Marañon on March 6, declared the province as a source of clean and renewable energy.
Marañon said before coming up with the order, he tasked the Provincial Environment Management Office to make a thorough study on coal-fired power plants.
“More and more countries have been decommissioning coal-fired powered plants due to the damage it has caused to the environment,” he said.
San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, who attended the “Youth Strike for Negros” rally, said they are thankful to the governor’s stand in favor of their advocacy for a clean province.
“The proposal has been with the Provincial Board for quite some time already, the board members should vote on it so the public would know who are in favor or against the measure,” said Marañon. (With PNA/PN)
