CEBU, Philippines - Local religious leaders and various groups have voiced out their protest against the establishment of a coal-fired power plant in Cebu City after the city council endorsed the proposed project to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other national agencies.
Groups from different associations, including from the religious, gathered on Friday morning at the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP) compound in Barangay Sawang Calero to express their sentiments regarding the project.
During the gathering, Brother Jaazeal Jakosalem of the Order of the Augustinian Recollects said they are not only calling for legislators to listen to their sentiments but also to residents to vent out their opposition since the people’s voice is also “the voice of the Church.”
Jakosalem stressed that fresh air is given to us by God’s providence and that they would oppose any proposal that will possibly destroy the environment by polluting the planet which cannot speak for itself.
The group sees the need to uphold the abundance of life by means of taking care of the environment and argue that the establishment of a power plant right near the coast in a populated city counters this principle.
Jakosalem said they also had initial talks with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma about the project.
Father Rowell Gumalay, MOP Superior, said the religious congregation wants to speak in behalf of the voiceless such as the children or the elderly.
“On their behalf, we cry out for what we called abundance of life… not so much of destroying life but on defending life making life more livable, making life more special and making life a happy place to live in,” he said.
“What will be the future of our children? What will be the future of our community? They will no longer be heard. They will no longer be part of the community,” Gumalay said.
After the public forum, the group then walked to the LUDO power plant beside the MOP compound to stage a brief protest rally. (FREEMAN)