On Salcon's expansion plan: Naga execs back coal plant, critics protest

Salcon Power Corporation's planned expansion by building a new coal-fired power plant remained a divisive issue following a public hearing on the matter yesterday in Naga town. While Naga town officials unanimously supported the project, some residents and environment groups snubbed the hearing and staged a protest outside the sports complex carrying placards and streamers expressing their opposition.

Naga Mayor Ferdinand Chiong and barangay officials openly backed the project telling the public that its advantages weigh more than the perceived worries on health hazards, among others. Salcon presented at the hearing the details of the project and its importance to the power demand of Cebu but still it failed to sway the stand of the opposition, which insisted that the proposed coal-fired power plant would be detrimental to the environment.

The hearing was among the requirements for Salcon to obtain environmental compliance certificate from the Environmental Management Bureau that would allow the firm to construct the new power plant. But the hearing turned out to be a gathering of supporters of the project and a crowd of concerned people led by Talisay Mayor Socrates Fernandez who said, "Can Salcon assure the residents that all their concerns would be addressed?"

Fernandez also wanted to know if there were existing plants similar to what Salcon and Korea Electric Philippines Corporation have jointly planned to build in Naga.

The EMB officials attended the hearing supposedly to listen to opinions of both parties of the matter but then most of the opposition chose to stay out of the complex saying that any howl of protestations inside would be futile because Salcon would still get the needed ECC anyway.

Cebu Alliance for Renewable Energy area coordinator Vince Cinches said, "We don't have to legitimize the 'lutong makaw' hearing."

The protesters said the planned power plant is an additional health hazard to the people and the environment due to its toxic emissions and wastes.

But Salcon officials assured the plant is safe due to its state-of-the-art and clean technology. They said that even the present plant has met the emission standards of the Environment Department.

Mayor Chiong said the town officials would not endorse the project if it posed danger to public health. He said it would be an added income for the town, citing the property taxes paid by Salcon and APO Cement Corporation to Naga that amounted to P10 million.

Once the ECC is issued Salcon and KEPHILCO would hold the groundbreaking for the new plant by November to start the construction, the projected completion of which is in 2008. The P15-billion joint project will provide 200-megawatts of additional power generation to Salcon's existing 110-mW capacity plant.

Salcon administrative manager Engr. Raul Estrelloso said the new plant would provide jobs to at least 10,000 coal miners, livelihood to residents of neighboring barangays, and cheaper electricity to consumers. Meanwhile, a tensed situation later engulfed the rally when protesters engaged in a heightened verbal altercation with project supporters, as both sides held separate rallies outside the Salcon plant in barangay Colon, Naga.

CARE members, who led the protesters, said they will file charges against Estrelloso and a plant security guard for alleged harassment.- Wenna A. Berondo