A NEWLY-formed multi-sectoral group against the construction of a coal-fired power plant in nearby Maasim, Sarangani has scored the proponent for apparently confusing and lying to the public.

The Socsksargen Climate Action Now (Socsksargen CAN) cited the pronouncement of Gregorio S. Gonzalez Jr., Conal Holdings Corp project manager, who said they will not proceed with the original plan of putting up a 200-megawatt (MW) coal power plant but with a smaller 100-MW plant.

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In a recent interview, Gonzales revealed that the firm has trimmed the target capacity of the plant when it goes into commercial stream before 2013. On Wednesday, Conal released a statement to the local media confirming that the coal plant will be constructed in two 100-MW phases.

Originally, the proponent said the coal plant will have an initial capacity of 200-MW. Gonzales earlier told Sun.Star General Santos that they will bring the plant's capacity to 200 MW "when the demand is already there."

"All along, they made us believe that the power plant is necessary since power shortage is expected in the next two to three years. Now we are vindicated," Sister Susan O. Bolanio, spokesperson of Socsksargen CAN, said.

"The truth is there is enough power supply for Mindanao in the next five to 10 years," said Erwin Quinones, campaigns paralegal of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE Phils), a member organization of Socsksargen CAN.

Bolanio said they believed there would be stable power supply in the region if no large-scale mining operation will occur in the area, referring to foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines Inc.

The group also opposes the operation of Sagittarius, which announced last week commitments to push through with the project's feasibility study.

Bolanio said they hope that Conal is not referring to the power needs of Sagittarius as the "demand for the next 100-MW."

Conal Holdings is controlled by Filipino conglomerate Alsons Corp, which has a 3.27 percent stake in Sagittarius. (BSS)