Mabilog wants immediate coal-fired plant re-testing
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau should fasttrack the conduct of the second test-firing of the Panay Energy Development Corp. coal-fired power plant in La Paz, Iloilo City, according to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.
He said the DENR-EMB should have already informed the city government if they have found a third party expert to check if the power plant strictly follows the parameter set for its operation and test-fire.
They should not tarry in their investigation and test-firing because the power plant is vital in solving the city’s power crisis and its impact to the health of the residents in the area should be considered.
They should move fast because it is their job, he said.
Mabilog said he might ask for the assistance of Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas in requesting an audience with Environment Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje.
He said he will directly ask for the intervention of Paje if the DENR-EMB does not act soon.
The DENR-EMB leads the multi-partite monitoring team formed to investigate the foul odor complained by the residents living near the coal-fired plant in Brgy. Ingore after the test-firing conducted in September.
The PEDC has scheduled the re-testing on October 11.*PNA
