Environmental groups hit EIS Report presented in public hearing
Gov. Niel Tupas, Sr. endorses the
proposed project amid an anti coal
flaglet on the foreground.
A.Chris Fernandez photos
Groups opposed to the proposed 100 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Concepcion, Iloilo have submitted a position paper citing some flaws in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Report for the said project which was presented in a public hearing held last Friday.
The position paper signed by Melvin Purzuelo of the Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (Rise) stated that the proposed coal-fired power plant is not compatible with the Power Development Plan (PDP) prepared by the Department of Energy (DoE) or with the Regional Development Plan (RDP) of the Regional Development Council (RDC-6).
It said the DoE has not granted the Certificate of Endorsement for the proposed project. DoE's PDP 2005 showed that Visayas Grid has an installed capacity of 1,721 MW, a dependable capacity of 1,520 MW, and a peak demand of 1,063 MW, thus having excess dependable capacity of 457 MW or about 43% excess of peak demand.
Additionally, the position paper reads, "the DoE PDP 2005 lists only indicative capacity additions of 100 MW in 2008 for the Visayas Grid. The planned capacity additions for baseload in Cebu Island alone already surpass the 100 MW."
The paper also belied the claim that RDC has endorsed the proposed project. It said, "on the contrary, on July 8, 2005, the RDC rebuffed the request for an endorsement by both DMCI (DM Consunji Inc.) and Mirant Global."
DMCI proposes a coal-fired power plant in Concepcion while Mirant Global is eyeing Barotac Viejo town.
The group also observed that the EIS Report lacks the essential information that could enable communities to analyze and compare the possible gains versus the social and environmental costs.
While DMCI limits the stakeholders to only six "puroks" of Brgy. Nipa, the site of the proposed coal-fired power plant, the group claims it should not be limited to said "puroks" but should include all the coastal barangays of Concepcion as well as that of the nearby towns of San Dionisio and Ajuy.
The group also questioned the "ecological integrity" of the EIS Report as there was no sufficient discussion on certain sensitive issues like the use of desalination plant and the so-called circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) technology to be used by DMCI.
Friday's public hearing was marked by cheers and jeers from opposing groups.
With top government officials present, Mayor Raul Banias pulled off the holding of the 'event' amidst renewed objection and opposition from environmental groups. With a consensus reached from amongst the majority of the Concepcion officials pushing for the approval of the multi-billion investment, one member of the Concepcion Municipal Council, Councilor Butch Ariola held his ground against the project.
Governor Niel Tupas was among the speakers who fully endorsed the project in a speech met with applause after applause from proponents and majority of those present. One part of the audience albeit significantly small compared to the pro-coal group jeered the governor yet their "boos" were downplayed by the cheers.
Bernard Broniola of Bombo Radyo who covered the entire event shared his impression saying if presence and reaction of the day's hearing was to be considered, then the coal fired power plant is a done deal for Concepcion and the Province of Iloilo.
Environment officials were present headed by Regional Director Julian Amador and various private organizations representing a multi-sectoral group of locals in the area.
But groups opposed to the proposed coal-fired power plant reported that there was discrimination on the part of the organizers of the public consultation as those who brought anti-coal streamers were stopped in a police checkpoint around 200 meters away from the venue.
Ariola observed that only pro-coal streamers were allowed entry by policemen.
More questions too on the manner the public hearing was conducted dismissed by Councilor Ariola's camp as more of a private consultation.