Consumers Domain
By Ian Seruelo

Playing with the people's future

 (A statement of concern in response to Resolution 2005-06 passed by the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Concepcion, Iloilo entitled “A Resolution Interposing No Objections to the Construction of a Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant at Sitio Puntalis, Barangay Nipa, Concepcion, Iloilo”.)

The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Concepcion , Iloilo has once again unmasked itself as a willing instrument of the proponents of Coal-Fired Power Plants here in the region.   With its utter disregard to the processes, the SB has become a blind peddler of the dirty coal projects.

What is appalling is the fact that this action of the SB has practically ignored due process in which the proponent is required to prepare an EIS (Environmental Impact Study) and secure an ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate).   What is now the essence of these processes if the SB and its so-called “ study and validation group” have confirmed that a coal-fired power plant has definitely “no detrimental effects on people and environment”?

Can the SB now say that there is no need to comprehensively study the impact of such a project to the environment and people's health as their “study and validation group” already has done so? Is the securing of an ECC simply a formality and a documentary requisite so the project can start immediately?   Can the people of Concepcion as well as other stakeholders of the project expect an impartial and objective look at the proposed coal plant and its impact, now that the Municipal Government and the SB has blindly endorsed such?        

Funny are the blatant inconsistencies and the hollowness of the resolution.   As can be clearly seen, the resolution is laden with flaws and bereft of any merit.     

First, the resolution wants to sound authoritative as it declares that “ no detrimental effects on people and environment caused by the operation of a Coal-Fired Thermal Power plant.”   However, in a succeeding premise it states “the study and validation group established that coal fired power plants can be hosted by the municipality with minimal risks and maximum benefits considering the availability of the state of the art technology in controlling and mitigating potential sources of pollution in a coal fired power plant operation.”

Now, what is it that needs CONTOLLING and MITIGATING if in the first place they say that there are definitely NO DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS?   Are they saying that in two months, their “study and validation group” was able to debunk all the hard evidences and scientific studies done worldwide including those which were done in the Philippines ?   Clearly, the members of the SB either have no idea of what they are saying or they are simply intellectually dishonest to accept the fact that voluminous studies have documented the real and actual damage coal-plants have caused to the environment and human health.   

Second, the resolution desires, but miserably failed, to appear objective and scientific. It claims that “the Municipal Government of Concepcion …made consultations with experts in the field of power generations and appropriate agencies…” and that they “formed a multi-sectoral group… which conducted study tour and validation of issues and concerns raised for and against the Coal Fired Power Plant at four (4) Coal Fired Power Stations in Luzon …”       

We demand that the SB identify these “experts” , their credentials, obtain hard copies of their researches and studies if any and get their respective statements under oath so that they will be responsible for the “facts” they are presenting and the assurances they give to the people of Concepcion.   Verily, any person or sector, particularly those who are bound to profit from a project can just say we “consulted with experts.”   Can we make them responsible and accountable in the future when our coastal resources are destroyed, water sources depleted, the air polluted, fishes contaminated and the health of our children deteriorated?    

We also demand that the study and validation group be identified and a full written disclosure of the findings signed by all its members be made public.   The process and procedures of the investigative expedition should be explained and a determination if such could pass as a scientific and objective expedition be made, knowing fully well that the project being investigated bankrolled the very investigation itself.

Third, the Resolution asserts that “the Sangguniang Bayan of Concepcion has thoroughly acknowledged and considered the position papers submitted by RISE (Responsible Ilongos for Sustainable Energy) and COAL FREE (Concepcion Alliance for Renewable Energy)…and has established that the theories, and allegations, were unfounded and were not consistent with the existing realities and actual conditions in the communities hosting the Coal-Fired Power Plant as validated by the study group.”

We are amazed at the competence of the SB's “study group” to categorically say that the points raised by opponents of the dirty coal project are all “unfounded”. While the documents submitted by RISE were all supported by scientific and actual researches, the SB and its “study group” can not even produce a single document countering the arguments of RISE and COAL FREE and can not even document the findings of its investigative expedition.   Despite such, the SB in a simplistic way opts to call opposition data as “unfounded” and all unsupported hollow assertions of the proponents as products of “careful and thorough evaluations”.   

Fourth, the final premise of the resolution avers that “after careful and thorough evaluations of facts, the Sangguniang Bayan of Concepcion has established that the benefits involve in hosting the Coal-Fired Power Plant in Concepcion FAR outweighs the RISKS, provided the Clean Coal and State of the Art Technology are utilized in this proposed project.”

Very convenient indeed.   While there is yet no existence of a complete impact assessment and study of the proposed project on host communities, the municipality, its environment and economy, here comes the SB declaring that benefits far outweighs risks.  

Can the Municipal Government and the SP at least prepare a simple table of benefits and risks, do a little arithmetic and present it to the public for consultation before such pronouncements?   The members of COAL FREE, as Concepcion residents, and other stakeholders deserve to see concrete information and hard facts to support the claim of the SB resolution.

Let it be known that we, members of RISE, despite these developments are in high spirits as we don't consider this as a setback but an expose' of the sheer lack of openness and concern of municipal public officials of Concepcion who have transformed themselves into coal-plant-peddlers.  

We are highly confident that these crucial lapses and callousness of the SB will work against their ulterior motives as it fueled more disgust, anger and stronger resolve amongst its people.

Lastly, we want to reiterate to the members of the SB and the Municipal Government of Concepcion that what we are dealing here is a serious matter.   Lest they forget, the future of the people of Concepcion and the Municipality are at stake now.   The people of Iloilo and the whole of Panay are stakeholders as well, as this type of a hazardous project have far-reaching impact and repercussion.   Let us stop playing with the people's future. Please…

(For comments and suggestions please email ianseruelo@yahoo.com or send text message to 0919-3486337.)