Ozamis City civil society groups oppose plan to build coal-fired power plant

Ozamis City civil society groups oppose plan to build coal-fired power plant

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OZAMIS CITY, April 23, 2015 (PNA) -– Civil society groups strongly oppose to the proposed construction of 300 megawatts coal-fired power plant in Barangay Pulot, this city. To manifest their opposition, they joined the protest rally held Wednesday in this city, which was timed with the observance of the Earth Day. Roldan Gonzales, civil society organization Gitib Mindanao executive director, said in an interview they are concerned with the protection of the environment as well as to the well-being of the residents.

Before the protest march, the group released a three-page statement indicating among other the reasons why they strongly oppose the proposed construction of the power plant. The number one reason they indicated is environmental concerns citing that “there is no such thing as clean coal or clean coal technology.”

The three-page statement was signed by the following civil society groups: freedom from debt coalition-Western Mindanao; Power Alternative Agenda in Mindanao (PALAG-Mindanao); Kampanya ng mga Kabataan para sa Kinabukasan (KKK); Our Rivers Our Life (OROL)–Philippines; Science Club Advisers Association of the Philippines; Youth for Climate Justice (Y4CJ); CAMPSIC; Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM); and, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP). They said they were disappointed that despite the already established and scientifically researched irreparable impacts and destruction caused by coal fired power plants, the city government still turns a blind eye from its constituents to pursue the project.

However, Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog said the local government has not officially endorsed the project “because of some environmental issues to be considered, we’ll assure the public that proper dialogue and consultation will be made so that all questions regarding the safety of the people and the environment will be answered by the proper authorities,” Parojinog emphasized. (PNA)

LGI/RCK/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION

Photos Caption

Civil Society Organizationn manifests their opposition to the proposed construction of the power plant in Ozamiz City. (Photo by JONG CADION)