For Sawang Calero Power Plant: Board endorses land reclassification

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Zoning Board has endorsed the request of Ludo and Luym Power Plant to reclassify the land where it is constructing a power plant in Barangay Sawang Calero from Industrial I to II.

“The Zoning Board has deliberated on the request and hereby informs that it is not adverse to granting a variance to the proposed LUDO AND LUYM Power Plant from Industrial I to Industrial II to conform its actual use, in accordance to existing Zoning and other Cebu City ordinances, rules and regulations,” read the resolution proposed by City Councilors Jose Daluz III and Jerry Guardo, Zoning Board members.

The resolution will be discussed by the City Council this Tuesday, as pursuant to the request of the legislative body for the Zoning Board to come up with a report on Ludo and Luym’s request for its proposed coal-fired thermal power plant, which should be established in a location zoned as Industrial II.

In an interview, Daluz said that it is just a change of industrial classification.

“Kanang Ludo and Luym man gud is industrial one ang zoning. Ang pwede sa power plant industrial two so that’s an exception, that’s a variation,” he told reporters.

 He said if the city council would pass their resolution the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will conduct a public hearing for the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate.

When asked by reporters on his stand on the approval of the establishment of power plant in the said barangay, Daluz said, “Para nako hypocrite kaayo ta if dili ta kay gas emission, C02… mas grabe pa ang methane kanang emission diha sa landfill. So mao na atoang stand.”

To recall, the City Council deferred last December 20, 2016 approval of the proposed resolution of Councilor David Tumulak endorsing the project to Zoning Board and the City Planning Development Office for comments and recommendations.

It came after Douglas Luym of Ludo Power Corporation requested the council last November 22 to assist them in the reclassification of the land to enable them to build the power plant.

"We would also like to request for an endorsement of the project by the Honorable City Council in relation to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-sponsored public hearing to be attended by relevant stakeholders, including residents of five barangays surrounding the proposed plant, namely: Sawang Calero, Duljo Fatima, Pahina San Nicolas, Suba and Pasil," he said in his letter.

A number of residents then appeared before the City Council expressing support for the construction of the power plant, arguing that it would provide livelihood to them.

 It was the second time that the City Council discussed the matter after the project was rejected last April 2016 after the committee on environment headed by then city Councilor Nida Cabrera said construction of the power plant has adverse environmental impact. (FREEMAN)