Tomas says no to power plant

CEBU, Philippines - As far as Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is concerned, the construction of a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Barangay Sawang Calero is “a dead issue.”

“Basically, my initial reaction was that, 30 megawatt is okay. Three hundred megawatt is outrageous. It’s too much. Kun 30 lang ok lang. After all, they are entitled to their property and they are entitled to make some economic value out of it. We can’t say that they cannot make money out of it. Three hundred megawatt is too much,” he told reporters yesterday.

In April last year, the City Council rejected the proposal to build the plant for being reportedly harmful to the environment but the proponent, Ludo Power Corporation, revived the proposal eight months later in December.

Yesterday, over a hundred residents from Sawang Calero and four neighboring barangays hit the road to support the project. They believe that the power plant can provide jobs to residents in the area and ensure a constant supply of electricity.

Yet Osmeña stood his ground and said he is against having a power plant in a densely-populated barangay such as Sawang Calero.

He said he will leave the matter to city councilors allied with his group Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

“And they are against the coal power plant so the people who are with me and who handles my environmental issues are against it. So, I will have to support them. So, I’m against the coal power plant,” he said.

Former councilors Ma. Nida Cabrera and Alvin Dizon both lobbied against the rejection of the proposal last year.

“If they are against it, I’m against it. It’s as simple as that. If not for them, I will consider 30 (MW). Three hundred (MW) is really monster. That’s 250 truckload of coal a day. I’m not against coal fired power plant. There’s 500 hectare island in Cebu. Why does it have to be in two-hectares in Sawang Calero?” Osmeña said.

He said public acceptability is also essential in determining the fate of the proposal.

“And there’s really an important element to me as a basic principle in government, it’s called, public acceptance. If people don’t like it, period. I don’t care what’s their reason. If the people decide, that’s it,” he said. 

Sought for comment, Dizon said he is happy with the mayor’s decision.

Dizon said the city should not allow companies or industries whose projects impact the people, community, and the environment negatively.

“This should be the direction of our city. We should only rely on energy sources that preserve life and our environment,” Dizon said.

Cabrera, for her part, said she has told Osmeña that the location of the proposed plant and its expected impact to the environment are the reasons why she is opposing it.

“Hugot gyod akong pagsupak niini tungod ang area daghan na kaayong balay unya housing project pa gyod sa atong syudad ang atong paghatag og pagtugod sa pagre-categorized niini sama ra nga ato silang gikuhaan sa ilang katungod sa pamuyo,” she said.

Pro-Coal

Those who joined the rally yesterday are residents of Barangays Sawang Calero, Pasil, Suba, San Nicolas Proper, and Pahina San Nicolas. They marched to the area where Ludo’s existing plant is located.

Jesiebel Panuela, 30, of Barangay Sawang Calero said she supports the project because Ludo has assured them it will generate livelihood.

Panuela who is pregnant with her eighth child said her family needs the project to sustain their daily needs and necessities.

“Gipasaligan pod mi sa taga Ludo nga dunay libreng pasuga, dili pod kutihon sa requirements kun mang-apply, ug mahatagan gyod og panginabuhi akong bana ug pohon akong mga anak,” she said.

She also believes the barangay will benefit from the project economically.

Those who joined the rally wore white shirts and carried placards with the words, “Yes to Coal,” among others.

Last week, groups against the project also held a rally in front of the power plant.

Consultation

Also yesterday, Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the City Council committee on environment, met with stakeholders of the proposed coal power plant.

Garganera invited representatives from the Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Energy yesterday.

He said DOE discussed the need to have additional energy sources as there’s an increase in demand in the province.

“DENR is very cautious about it because of the area, populated mao na gitotokan karon ang health impact, environmental impact and acceptability of people residing there. We’re keeping an open mind. Maminaw ta on the other side sad, this is half a billion dollar project, in other words, were taking a second look because we in the council are not expert on this,” he said.

Garganera said his committee will continue to consult with stakeholders, especially the environmental groups, to come up with a holistic recommendation.

Once Garganera’s committee comes up with a recommendation, the same will be deliberated on by the council as a whole.  (FREEMAN)