BACOLOD City – A pro-environment group supports the move of Negros Occidental governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. in seeking to declare the province “coal-free” amid the opposition to the proposed coal-fired power plant in San Carlos City.
Green Alert Network said in a statement it has been against coal energy since it was reintroduced to the province in 2010. “We said it then and we still say it now – ‘No to Coal!’” the group said.
The GAN called on every Negrense to be good environmental stewards and support the “No to Coal” in Negros campaign.
In October the Diocese of San Carlos headed by Bishop Gerardo Alminaza issued a position paper opposing the construction of a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant proposed by SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. in San Carlos.
Coal causes pollution and harms human health, Alminaza said as he pushed for the development of renewable energy sources.
The bishop also called on the local government of San Carlos and the provincial government of Negros Occidental to disapprove any proposal for a coal plant projects.
Last month Marañon wrote the Sangguniang Panlalawigan asking for the passage of an ordinance declaring Negros Occidental a coal-free, clean-energy and environment-friendly province.
The ordinance seeks to disallow the exploration, establishment and operation of any coal-fired power plant in the province.
“We promise the people of Negros Occidental that the provincial government, its leaders, offices, and staff are and will be pursuing a no-to-any-coal-fired-power-plant-in-Negros-Occidental policy,” said the governor.
“Coal-fired power plants and other fossil fuels are scientifically proven to have serious and harmful impact on the environment and people’s health as well as livelihood,” he added.
Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the proposal has been endorsed to the committees on energy, and environment and natural resources.
But Lacson, a former mayor of San Carlos, was noncommittal – he said he was keeping an open mind with regard to coal as power source.
“We need to remind the vice governor that the health and safety of the people does not depend on how serious the intent and proposal of San Miguel Corporation (is) … Coal is dirty. Coal is destructive,” the GAN said.
Negros Occidental is the country’s top producer of solar electricity, with a generation capacity of 341.5 megawatts from five solar power companies, including two in San Carlos City. (PNA)
