By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE BUSINESS community in Negros Occidental is welcoming “with open arms” three proposed projects meant for the energy security of Negros Island. These are:
* P2-billion 6,000-hectare palm oil industry in Candoni town
* modular nuclear power plant either in Sipalay City, San Carlos City or Cauayan tow
* 172.7-MW (megawatt) solar farm in Calatrava town
Stressed by Frank Carbon of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), “These are the next game changers in Negros soonest.”
“Negros,” he added, “needs baseload power plant(s) like Panay, Cebu and Leyte.”
Too, Carbon believes these three proposed energy projects won’t only address Negros’ power needs but also unemployment and hunger.
“These will surely create more jobs…will eliminate poverty,” he said.
‘ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMINAL’
But Joshua Villabos, convener for the newly-baptized Negros Initiatives for Climate and Environment (NICE), said otherwise.
The proposed palm oil industry in Candoni by the Consunji Group of Companies (CGC) is “quite concerning” kuno.
“The palm oil industry is considered an ‘environmental criminal’ around the world,” he warned. It (always) has poor working conditions for its workers.
Candoni’s Councilor Dember Catipunan, in a statement, said the Consunjis are determined to explore the possibility in their town.
They actually started back in 2010, Catipunan added.
Candoni is one of the “poorest mountain localities” in the province. Economically-speaking, the palm oil industry is projected to be a boon for the town.
Catipunan said the proponent already entered into an Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Te IFMA will lead to the commencement of the proposed 25-year pact.
But Villalobos said, “Let’s be wary of deforestation leading to soil erosion, landslide, flooding, etcetera.”
Candoni, he said, was among those localities in southern Negros hit hard by typhoon “Odette” in 2021.
Carbon, however, is confident the Consunjis will ace these environmental concerns-slash-challenges.
NICE ‘WON’T BE NICE’
Villalobos said issues on land conversion and land grabbing must be resolved first for the proposed solar project in Calatrava.
Moreover, he said, more solar projects threaten the food security thrust of the province.
But Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), remains steadfast in its quest to put up a solar farm.
ARI said the construction of its solar project within a 143-hectare land area in Calatrava will start next month.
As to the proposed inclusion of three localities – Sipalay, San Carlos and Cauayan – for a feasibility study on a modular nuclear power plant, Villalobos said NICE “won’t be nice”.
Lots of questions need to be hurdled. These include the following:
* nuclear safety and fuel cycle
* nuclear legal framework
* radiation protection
* emergency planning
* radioactive waste management
* environmental protection
* procurement, others
“And the modular ones aren’t commercialized yet,” he bared, adding, “so, they might be dangerous.”
At this point, Carbon agreed.
Going back to the crafting of a new fundamental legal charter, this may take another 15 to 20 years, he calculated.
Nonetheless, he pointed out that these proposed energy projects are “welcome developments” for Negrenses to embrace.
JUST ENERGY TRANSITION
Villalobos also shared that NICE is now advocating the Just Energy Transition (JET). “Meaning, we have to ensure that new energy technologies must be rolled out in a just manner”.
He added: “While we embrace the entry of more RE (renewable energy) technologies in the province, the government must also ensure that no sectors will be negatively impacted.”
“I hope there will be no farmers will be displaced by this move,” said Carbon.
“NICE,” he underscored, “believes that through innovation and encouraging more models for our energy system, we can achieve energy security without sacrificing our food sources.”
But Carbon said these are the kinds of investments we need most in Negros.
“These projects will lead to another round of consolidation and reconsolidation of our lands in Negros after the CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) implementation years back.”
FORCE MAJEURE
Well, nice insights (vis-à-vis) from both Carbon and Villalobos.
Though there’s an “intramural of thoughts” between economic development and environmental protection, still everything boils down to “balance” as the key.
Thus, it’s high time to revisit Asin’s or Freddie Aguilar’s famous folk song titled “Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran”. A stanza serves as a potent reminder to all of us:
Bakit ‘di natin pag-isipan
Ang nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran?
Hindi na masama ang pag-unlad
Kung hindi nakaksira ng kalikasan
Yes, economic boom is inevitable. But environmental protection is also “a must” amid climate change. Spiking environmental degradation is alarming.
Nature’s “resbak” nowadays is glaring via force majeure like typhoons, floods, landslides, quakes, etcetera. Aren’t we afraid of these?
Let’s be discerning now. Which is which: progress or environment?
Yes, puzzling! But always remember this quote from French Renaissance philosopher Michel de Montaingne: “Let’s permit nature to have her way. She understands her business better than we do.”/PN
