Council rejects Sawang Calero coal plant project

THE Cebu City Council denied Wednesday, April 27, the proposed 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant project in Barangay Sawang Calero for lack of social acceptability.

City Councilor Nida Cabrera, in her report, said the proposed coal plant is hazardous to the environment, quoting a World Health Organization study.

She added that the village where the plant was supposed to be built is also classified as an industrial district 1, thus power plants should not be built there.

Proponents of the project, Councilors Noel Wenceslao and Richard Osmeña also withdrew their resolution favorably endorsing the project.

Nelson Yuvallos of Ludo Power Corporation refused to comment on the denial Wednesday, but residents of Barangay Sawang Calero thanked him for the withdrawal.

The residents also thanked and gave white flowers to Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

(With Razel V. Cuizon of Sun.Star Cebu/Sunnex)