Proposed coal-fired power plant in Mindanao opposed

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 18, 2009) – Filipino environmentalists on Wednesday said the construction of a 200-megawatt power plant in the Mindanao province of Sarangani is threatening the world-renowned Tinoto-Tampuan Reef.

They said the proposed coal-fired Kamanga power plant announced by the Conal Holdings Corporation is near the 140-hectare protected reef in Maasim town.

The Catholic Church is also opposing the plan. “We will continue to oppose the project and there will be no let up in our campaign until they will abandon the plan of putting up the coal-fired power plant anywhere in the region,” said Fr Romy Catedral, of the Social Action Center –Diocese of Marbel.

Environment officials have allayed fears of pollution.

“There is no such thing as clean coal technology. They just want to make it sound good to convince the people. Coal Fired Power Plants remain the number one source of carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming throughout the world, which resulted to climate disasters that have taken 150,000 lives every year,” said Erwin Quiñones, LRC-KsK/FoE Phils Campaigns Paralegal.

“The environmental threat of climate change due to global warming is real, and phasing out of coal fired power plants should be done soon. Other countries like Greece have already cancelled all plans for new coal-fired power plants and even ruled out the introduction of nuclear energy into the country and considers to moved to a cleaner mix of energy sources,” Quiñones said, adding, that the government should invest more on renewable and sustainable sources including wind and solar energy.

Dr Winifreda Olbes, lead-convener of the church-based Sta. Cruz Parish against Pollution (SCPAP) in Maasim town, vowed to continue campaigning against the proposed power plant.

“We will continue with our information-education campaign so that the people will realize that the project will do more harm than good for the people of Maasim", she said, citing environmental and health impacts brought about by coal-power power plants in other areas.
“The potential contamination of our waters and coasts from KPP wastes will affect the livelihood of the majority of our population – the fisher folks,” Olbes said.