|
Monday, November 21, 2005
Anti-coal powered plant group to step up campaign
ILOILO -- Fired up by the defeat of at least two proposed coal-fired power plants here due to continuous protests from local communities over the last two years, anti-coal activists in Mindanao vowed to step up the fight against the ongoing coal power plant projects in Northern and Southwestern Mindanao.
Bencyrus Ellorin, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro-based Task Force Macajalar, said Mindanawon communities should also take up a definitive stand and also lead the rejection of the coal projects, which had been cited as among the main causes of the severe climate changes now being experienced globally.
"Mindanao is in the path of severe climate impacts. We must stop the use of coal, which is costing Filipinos up to $2.5 billion annually in damages to our climate and livelihood along with other external costs," Ellorin said at a press conference shortly after the SV Rainbow Warrior, environmental group Greenpeace's flagship, arrived here late Friday afternoon.
The historic Rainbow Warrior was here for Philippine leg of the 2005 Asia Energy Revolution Tour that includes Australia, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
The campaign focuses on calling an "urgent break from coal and promote a massive shift to clean and renewable energy."
Ellorin, a member of the "Pinoy Kontra Coal" coalition, said they were inspired by the success of the peaceful protests that the residents of Ajuy and Banate towns launched, which eventually led to the rejection of the proposed coal-fired power plant projects by the Iloilo provincial board.
The residents of the two municipalities have joined hands in fighting against another proposed 100-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the shores of Barangay Nipa in Concepcion town.
The Rainbow Warrior made a brief stop near Concepcion early Friday where it was welcomed by a flotilla of bancas carrying residents opposing the proposed coal plant.
Ellorin said they would launch similar peaceful protests to pressure proponents of the coal plants "to also leave Mindanao."
He specifically cited the ongoing construction in Misamis Oriental of the 200 megawatt coal power plant worth US$300 million. The project is funded by Steag of Germany and the Japan Bank of International Cooperation.
Aside from this, he said, the government is also pushing for the establishment of another coal plant in the coastal town of Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat province.
Ellorin said explorations for coal are currently ongoing in Surigao, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani provinces.
"Recent studies have indicated that climate change will cause more frequent droughts in Mindanao and increased rainfall and flooding in Southern Luzon. This has serious repercussions on the food security of the country since Mindanao supplies up to 42 percent of the country's food requirements," Ellorin said.
Daniel Rizotti, the Argentine captain of the Rainbow Warrior, expressed support to the campaign against the coal projects in Visayas and Mindanao. (Allen V. Estabillo)
(November 21, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
