THE DESTROYED hilly landscape where the towers are to be built are bare and in danger of landslides. Allegedly, AC Energy has not successfully implemented a sustainable professional replanting project. The photos show the damaged landscape now being washed away by the rain and nothing has been replanted, according to environmental protectors and observers.
This column contacted the AC Energy spokesperson and sent photographs of the destroyed landscape to ask for a comment. The AC energy spokesperson promised to get back to this column but no one responded with information on replanting activities.
According to a published statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), AC Energy is spending 293 million US dollars on its solar project and transmission lines allegedly not complying with its moral and perhaps legal obligation to replant substantially, effectively, and continuously with constant monitoring during the rainy season.
AC Energy should care for the environment more. The solar project is supposed to save and protect the environment so that it can stop burning coal and plant trees to absorb the dangerous CO2 that is causing global warming.
AC Energy should be held accountable to protect the Philippine environment and show concern for the people suffering from the searing heat.
The Aboitiz corporation is also constructing a solar plant in Tabacuhan, Olongapo City and is also building transmission lines in the same general area as AC Energy. Its cables were planned to pass close to the Preda Foundation’s children’s home but through peaceful negotiation, Aboitiz now agrees to relocate the tower further from the children’s home and the transmission lines will be a safe distance since radiation from the high-powered cables are said to be a danger that can cause cancer. That’s why human dwellings cannot be constructed under such transmission lines.
Aboitiz has also made promises to replant saplings (not seedlings, which don’t usually survive). The Environmental Watch group will observe and even join the Aboitiz replanting project, according to the representative of Aboitiz corporation.
With less trees to absorb CO2, the weather is hotter and all will suffer. Life will be unbearable in cities and for outdoor workers. As you read this on Sunday 9th July 2023, it will reach 35 degrees. Saturday will have been 36 degrees.
However, there will be thunderstorms. An average of 15 to 22 days of rain is expected this July, according to forecasters. So expect it to continue and to even get hotter. The new world record of the hottest day at 17.01 degrees on 3 July this year is likely to be repeated or surpassed.
However we can all call for a reduction of coal, oil and gas burning in power plants and support the expansion of renewable energy sources. Above all, they too must save the forests and plant more trees. (preda.org)/PN
