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Saturday, April 26, 2008
Toxicologist warns vs Sibulan hydropower
DAVAO CITY -- A toxicologist and environmental advocate spoke against the controversial construction of the Sibulan hydropower plant and the proposed construction of three mini-hydropower plants in Davao City's third district, saying this is not environmentally sound.
Dr. Romeo Quijano, a University of the Philippines (UP) professor and one of Davao City's expert witnesses in the aerial spray ban trial, said the mere construction of the dam is already destructive.
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"For instance, the change in the ecosystem would upset the balance of insects which in turn could stimulate malaria. The excavation of the lands could release arsenic from the ground such that the downstream could be affected," Quijano said in a statement issued during the Southern Mindanao Conference on the Environment and Development Aggression held Friday at the Holy Cross of Davao College.
Lisa Ito of Kalikasan-Philippine Network for the Environment, in her presentation on the Philippine Environmental Situation, said the Philippine Exploration Plan (PEP) from 1999-2008 stresses the development of hydro and coal-based power plants and the rehabilitation of old hydropower plants, to the point of even sourcing foreign loans for these.
"However, in other parts of the world, governments are inclined to reduce their investments in these technologies due to their environmental and social effects," Ito said.
Various sectors, including the Davao City Water District (DCWD), have expressed opposition to Hedcor's proposed construction of mini-hydropower plants in Tamugan, Suawan, and Panigan fearing pollution and decrease of water sources.
Hedcor president and chief executive officer Rene Ronquillo, in his presentation before the Davao City Council last April 10, said the quality and quantity of Davao City's water supply will not be compromised if the plants are constructed.
Ronquillo said that Hedcor would be constructing small, run-off river hydro plants with small dams that will not impound water.
Environmental damages, Ronquillo said, are relatively zero during the operation of the plant. However, he said it is during the construction that there will be damages.
He said that aside from noise and air pollution caused by equipment used during the construction, there is water pollution too as the water will be murky during the placement of the plant foundation.
There will be domestic garbage from the workers and trees will be cut to accommodate the pipeline. The existing road network will also be damaged due to the influx of construction equipment.
Hedcor, however, is committed to seeing the project through, saying it may be the only way to address the projected energy crisis in 2010, as Southern Mindanao has no back-up sources anymore. (GLP/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (April 26, 2008 issue)
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