FDC-Iloilo files notice to sue coal plant
The Freedom from Debt Coalition-Iloilo yesterday filed a notice to sue Panay Energy Development Corp. on the heels of complaints on the malodorous emission emanating from its 164-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Brgy. Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City.
FDC-Iloilo chairperson Ted Aldwin Ong said they submitted the notice to the Office of the Mayor, Office of the Vice Mayor, City Council’s Committee on Environment, City Engineer’s Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau, and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.
Ong said the City Government of Iloilo, DENR-EMB and CENRO should act on reports that the foul smell emitted by the coal-fired power plant caused some residents and pupils of Brgy. Ingore and its neighboring villages to get ill.
The notice to sue cited specific violations of the Clean Air Act and the Local Government Code.
Ong said they might also seek legal remedy through the filing of writ of kalikasan (nature), which aims to protect the right of Filipinos to a healthy environment.
Under the writ, new guidelines govern the prosecution of environmental cases in the country.
Meanwhile, Melvin Purzuelo of Green Forum Western Visayas also expressed alarm over the foul odor coming from the coal-fired power plant following its test firing.
While he was alarmed over the foul odor, Purzuelo said he is more apprehensive of the odorless and colorless emission which he claims pollutes the environment.
“But as of now, we already see that the plant’s management won’t even admit that the foul odor that we saw, felt, and heard came from there. So, what more of the things that we couldn’t see, hear or feel coming from their plant?” he said.
In a television interview, Purzuelo revealed they have documented several complaints on other coal-fired power plants during the test firing, especially before the boiling of water that would be used to produce the steam.
Purzuelo called on the residents living near the plant to maintain their vigilance.*
