Anti-coal group formed in northern Iloilo

Environmental advocates and church leaders of various denominations from northern Iloilo gathered to launch the Northern Iloilo Alliance for the Protection of the Environment or PROTECT Northern Iloilo at Brgy . Santiago , Barotac Viejo, Iloilo last February 21.

According to Ma. Geobelyn Lopez, one of the convenors of PROTECT & secretary general of Madiaas Ecological Movement ( Madiaas ), the launching was attended by nearly a hundred individuals from the towns of Btac . Viejo, Sara, San Dionisio , Balasan , Estancia, Carles , Concepcion , Batad , San Rafael , Banate , and Dumangas .

“This formation will be a start to further strengthen our series of campaigns for environmental protection ,especially against coal-fired power plants and the privatization of the electric power industry. We also plan to coordinate our campaign against mining operations of trans national corporations with their local dummies,” Lopez said.

Brgy . Santiago , Btac . Viejo, and Brgy . Nipa , Concepcion of Iloilo Province are the proposed sites for the construction of a 100-MW coal-fired power plant by Mirant Global Philippines and David M. Consunji , ,Inc .. Moreover, a bulk of mining applications for gold and copper can be seen in the fifth district of Iloilo, as the records of the Mines & Geosciences Bureau would show. The towns of San Rafael , Btac . Viejo, Ajuy , Concepcion , Lemery & San Enrique are covered by application for Financial & Technical Assistance Agreement by Occidental Pacific Climax Mining Corporation covering 16,200 hectares for gold and copper.

Rev. Joel Valdez, chairperson of the Environmental & Social Concerns Committee of the Convention of the Philippine Baptist Churches, said that the alliance would further forge the unity of the people in the fifth district, as massive education campaign will be conducted to make them aware of the issues affecting the environment and their health and livelihood. “We cannot afford to simply mobilize the people without letting them understand the issues confronting them. We would like to tell them that as stewards of God's creation, it is our primordial task to defend the well being of the people against hazardous emissions and wastes of coal-fired power plants and commercial mining of foreign corporations”.

Rev. Deacon Monet Deza , Jr. of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) at San Rafael , Iloilo said that the churches of the IFI in northern Iloilo are supportive of the people's campaign against coal-fired power plants.

“The Diocese of   Iloilo has issued a resolution for a sustained and comprehensive campaign for the protection of God's creation and this includes the campaign against the establishment of coal-fired power plants. IFI has been also supportive of the people of Banate last year in their struggle against the entry of Korean Electrci Power Corporation (KEPCO),” Deza said.

Pastor Herberto B Alasa , the chairperson of Northern Iloilo Baptist Ministers Association, also expressed his solidarity in the call to junk the coal-fired power plant and large-scale mining operation.

“In Lemery , we are threatened with the mining application of Teresa Marble Corporation covering 2,349 hectares for copper & gold. But we hope and pray that with the people's vigilance, we can preserve the rich mineral resources of Lemery for the interest of the people,” he said.

The residents of Brgy . Santiago , Btac . Viejo who are opposing the proposed power plant expressed their jubilation with the launching of PROTECT-Northern Iloilo.

“Somehow, we feel that there are formations who are supportive of our cause as we are accused that only a few of us here are against the project. Most of the residents here are against it, only that they are intimidated and threatened if they will go out in the open and declare their opposition to the power plant. We don't want to host a dirty source of energy with this coal-fired power plant even if proponents are boasting of a clean coal technology”, said Herminio Agsaluna of the Katilingban sang Mangunguma kag Mamumugon – Pulaw-Bugtaw Todo-Kayod (KMM-PUBUKAD) at Brgy . Santiago , Btac . Viejo.

Other individuals who expressed support to the formation are Fr. Bong Sarabia of the Promotion of Church People's Response, Nicanor Primavera of the Western Visayas Ecumenical Council, Pastor Dennis Andog of Sara, Fr. Marco Sulayao of St. John the Baptist Church at Banate , Iloilo.

Rev. Pastor Filomeno Mosquera of the Glory Vision Church at Malayuan , Ajuy gave his blessings to the convenors of PROTECT-Northern Iloilo and led the prayer of commitment.

Msgr. Meliton Oso , Executive Director of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center , also expressed his full support to the campaign against coal-fired power plant.

“We hope that with the formation of the core group, the people will be empowered to organize themselves for the protection of their health and the environment, as well as their livelihood against big businesses who are only here to rake in huge profits for their company's interest”, said Lopez.