Priests hear both sides of the coal plant issue
Several priests of the Jaro Archdiocese recently heard the pros and cons of the proposal to put up a 100 megawatt coal-fired power plant in the city.
Key officials of Global Power Business Corporation (GPBC), proponent of a 100 megawatt coal-fired power plant for Iloilo City, explained the need to have a coal-fired power plant while representatives of various environmental groups shed light on why the said power plant should be rejected.
Present to defend the coal-fired power plant were GPBC's President Jess Alcordo, Assistant Vice President Engr. Adrian Moncada and other officials representing different divisions.
Moncada and company explained that the putting up of coal-fired power plant would address the city's power problem and would eventually reduce power rates.
Moncada said that based on their forecast the generation rate would reduce by P1.14 per kilowatt hour with the coal plant's operation.
GBPC currently operates Panay Power Corporation (PPC) a 72 megawatt diesel fired power plant that supplies bulk of the electricity requirements of the city.
The proponents also allayed fears that the power plant could be hazardous to health and the environment. They said the plant would be using modern technology to ensure that toxic emissions and wastes are controlled way below of the required standard set by the government.
Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (Rise), however, refuted the the claims made by representatives of GBPC.
Melvin Purzuelo, a member of Rise, insisted that there is no such thing as lack of power supply in Panay island. He said the projection made by GPBC on the power situation of Panay island is bloated to justify the entry of the coal plant.
Their group also claimed that a coal-fired power plant is considered the dirtiest in the world. They presented studies showing that coal power plants brought hazards to health and the environment.
They said instead of endorsing coal power plants renewable energy sources should be tapped.
After the presentation the priests were given the opportunity ask clarifications from both sides.
Fr. Esperidion Celis of the Mandurriao Parish, who presided the meeting, said the forum was meant to provide the priests with a clear view of the controversial issue.
"We want to gather information. We want to know what are the points of the opposing parties," Celis said.
To note, Jaro Archbishop Msgr. Angel Lagdameo have already issued a statement opposing the coal power plant proposal.
Earlier, business groups under the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (ILEDF) came out with a position fully supporting and endorsing the proposed establishment of the coal-fired power plant.
The business sector contended that accepting another power source like the coal power plant would address the power problem being suffered by the city for quite a long time now.