BACOLOD City – A proposed provincial ordinance declaring the entire Negros Occidental as coal-free, clean energy and environmentally-friendly is being pushed to disallowing the exploration, establishment and operation of any coal -fired power plant in the province.
The proposed ordinance is being lobbied in the province’s committees on energy and environment and natural resources chaired by Sangguniang Panlalawign members Manuel Frederick Ko and Rogelio Debulgado respectively.
It stemmed from the request of Negros Occidental governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. who recently urged the Provincial Board for its passage.
It has been reported that San Miguel Corp. is eyeing to establish a coal-fired power plant at the boundary of barangays Palampas and Punao in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The proposed provincial ordinance seeks to ensure that the provincial government is fully intent on maintaining and protecting the pristine environmental conditions of the province – even as it pursues energy development projects that will provide a sustainable, accessible and reliable power supply for the province.
Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 mandates the strict regulation of the operation of coal-fired power plants, recognizing the hazards they pose to the environment and to the health of the people.
Meanwhile, Central Negros Electric Cooperative general manager Sulpicio Lagarde Jr. said their company is prioritizing the need to supply power to the province, regardless of the technology to be used.
He said it is better for Negros Occidental to have its own power plant than have the power distribution companies buy power from Panay and Cebu./PN
