Barangay exec assails activists for disregarding rule of law
Punong barangay Ernie Poral of Brgy. Ingore, La Paz district assailed environmental activists led by Greenpeace for disregarding the rule of law when they put up a protest camp at the site of the proposed coal-fired power plant.
Poral said the activists did not have a rally permit and failed to coordinate with the barangay officials when they entered Brgy. Ingore.
Poral said as barangay officials they have the power to check on the people entering their barangay.
The village chief stressed that they respect the protest activities being conducted by the group as long as they have proper coordination with the barangay officials.
Poral said they were surprised when the group suddenly appeared Friday last week to set up a camp at their protest site.
Brgy. Ingore hosts the diesel power plant of Panay Power Corporation (PPC) proponent of the proposed coal-fired power plant.
Greenpeace along with representatives from Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (Rise) established over the weekend their Climate Defenders Camp at the exact site of a proposed coal-fired power plant in Brgy. Ingore.
The camp consists of a tower and tents on a seaside area that was previously used for fish ponds but now allocated for the said coal plant. Banners with messages saying 'Quit Coal, Save the Climate' and 'Coal causes Climate Change' are hung around the camp.
Greenpeace's flagship Rainbow Warrior is anchored near the Climate Defenders Camp, providing support to Greenpeace volunteers on the ground.
Meanwhile, pro-coal groups composed mostly of residents of Brgy. Ingore also held a rally in support of the coal-fired power plant.
Like the environmental activists the pro-coal groups also held streamers and banners supporting PPC.
PPC and Global Business Power Corporation (GBPC) is proposing to put up a 165 MW coal-fired power plant in Brgy. Ingore to address the power problems of the city.
GBPC assistant vice president Engr. Adrian Moncada said they respect the activists' right to express their opinion but "they (activist) should stay away from our property because the plant (PPC) is a vital installation.
"PPC will not touch them if they don't step on our right. And it is our right to protect our properties. How would they feel if we climb up their ship and put up a pro-coal banner?" Moncada said.