Business exec confident that coal power plant will get ECC
An Ilonggo business executive based in Manila fully believes that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will grant an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) to the proposed 164-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Global Business Power Corp. (GBPC) in Brgy. Ingore, Lapaz.
Drilon, who is also president of Iloilo Economic Development Foundation Inc. (ILED), is confident that the proponent of the 164 megawatt coal-fired power plant will get a positive response from the concerned agencies after the study rendered by Task Force Coal Fired Power Plant headed by Engr. Noel Hechanova favored the project.
Drilon said the imminent approval of the GBPC's application for an ECC and the recent approval of the ECC application of the D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI) in the town of Concepcion would be a great help to the economy of the city and province of Iloilo.
DMCI also proposes to put up a 100 MW coal-fired power plant in Concepcion, Iloilo.
Drilon believes that the price of electricity sold to the consumers would be much cheaper with the use of coal-fired power plant compared to power plants using diesel fuel.
ILED, along with other business groups in the city, is fully supportive of the proposed coal-fired power plant as it is seen as solution to the current problem on power being experienced by the city.
Drilon said with stable power supply the city could attract more investors, thus, could create more job opportunities.
When asked on the strong opposition of the Church over the proposed construction of a coal-fired power plant, Drilon said the Catholic Church should look at the spiritual welfare of the people. He notes that there are members of the clergy who are also in favor of the project.