Pro-, anti- coal-fired power plant groups to face off in public hearing
Both pro- and anti- coal-fired power plant groups are expected to face each other today, August 4, in the Multi-purpose Hall of Brgy. Nipa, Concepcion, Iloilo for the public hearing on the proposed 100 megawatt coal-fired power plant in said town.
Not only those who oppose the project are submitting position papers, there are also people's organizations who strongly endorse the proposed coal-fired power plant.
Various organizations in Concepcion, such as: Association of Barangay Councils, Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, Mt. Apitong Family Contract Workers Association, Inc., Federation of Senior Citizen Association, Inc., Nipa Small Fisherfolks and Farmers Association, Brgy. Health Workers Association, Macalbang Multi-purpose Cooperative and SEA-Kabayan, among others, expressed support for the project.
Those who are for the establishment of coal-fired power plant believe that the project will bring significant increase in the town's revenue that can be allocated for the basic needs of the community and that it could help address the power woes in the province.
Meanwhile, anti-coal groups lead by Concepcion Alliance for Renewable Energy (CoalFREE) observed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) wanted to limit participation in the public hearing by imposing a policy that participants have to register in person or by mail to the EMB Central Office in Quezon City so that they can attend the hearing.
A press release from the Madiaas Ecological Movement (MEM) said more than 1,500 people representing groups of senior citizens, women, farmers and fisherfolks signed separate position papers addressed to DENR-EMB expressing strong opposition to the coal-fired power plant project.
MEM also reported that a group of teachers and students in Concepcion signed separate petitions against the project.
In opposing the coal-fired power plant project, said groups are of the view that it will cause harmful effects to health and natural resources.
DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI), proponent of the coal-fired power plant project, is expected to present the results of the Environmental Impact Assessment for their proposed project during the public hearing.
To note, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan rejected the proposed coal-fired power plant by Korea Electric and Power Company (Kepco) in the nearby Banate, Iloilo in 2004 due to environmental and health hazards.
Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., however, endorses DMCI's bid of putting up a 100MW coal-fired power plant in Concepcion town saying it could address the province's power problem.
Energy experts earlier revealed that there is a looming power crisis in Panay island as the existing power plants by the National Power Corporation (Napocor) could no longer meet the power demand in the island.
Environmentalist groups, however, are of the view that establishing coal-fired power plants is not the solution to the island's power problems. They contend that the government could tap renewable energy sources which is not harmful to health and the environment.