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Friday, March 04, 2005
Archbishop on coal plants: People's future at stake
By Kathy Villalon Cinco
"I APPEAL to our lawmakers to consider the future of the people of Panay."
This was the call of Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo during his homily Thursday afternoon celebrating the "Adlaw Handuraw" of the anti-coal advocacy in Iloilo spearheaded by the Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (Rise).
It came as two coal-fired power plants are being proposed in the towns of Concepcion and Barotac Viejo by DMCI-Holdings Inc. and Mirant Global, respectively.
The House committee on good government is now conducting an inquiry on the applications of the two Independent Power Producers.
"Why do they insist on coal-fired power plants? Yes, coal may be cheap but in the long run, it is destructive to the environment and to human lives. Whereas, the other alternatives respect our natural resources and human lives. That is the reason why we are insisting on these (renewable sources of fuel)," Lagdameo said before the crowd of at least 1,000 at the Capitol grounds in Iloilo City.
The activity commemorated what the anti-coal advocates call the "people's victory" against the proposal by Korean firm Kepco to build a coal-fired power plant in Banate.
Lagdameo said the Jaro Archdiocese Social Action Center is educating its parishioners about the dangers of the coal-fired-power plants and on the alternative safe energy sources.
"We have invited speakers to educate our parish priests. Education is very important, he added.
Acoustic singer-activist Noel Cabangon, who performed during the Thursday night concert, expressed support to the local anti-coal advocacy.
"I don't even believe in what they call the clean coal technology. Yes, they said that such technology exists in the United States, but we know for a fact that this country did not even sign the Kyoto Accord," said Cabangon, who is the voice behind the popular environmental song, "Kanlungan."
The Kyoto Accord is an agreement among industrialized countries aimed to reduce the use of energies that cause the green house effect and the destruction of the ozone layer, which leads to global warming.
"It's like saying that you can have sustainable mining. How can you have sustainable mining when once you destroy a mountain, it would take thousands of years to rebuild it? Some mining practices entail destroying mountains to extract minerals. So, I also don't think there's an environment friendly coal-fired power plant. We should consider using renewable energy instead," Cabangon added.
"Adlaw Handuraw" was attended by anti-coal advocates from Banate, Barotac Viejo, Concepcion, Dumangas, San Joaquin, Leganes, Igbaras and Badiangan.
Also present were students of Saint Vincente Ferrer Seminary, University of San Agustin, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Saint Paul's University of Iloilo, Saint Paul's Hospital as well as members of Rise convening groups Workers for Health and the Environment and Professionals for Social Responsibility.
(March 4, 2005 issue)
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