Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Coalition blocks P65-B Luna coal power plant



Published December 13, 2016, 10:01 PM By Erwin G. Beleo

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Groups concerned about the environmental and climate change joined religious organizations last Monday in opposing the proposed construction of a ww65-billion coal-fired power plant in Barangay Carisquis, Luna, this province.
The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), HELPS for Humanity (H4H), Kanlungan Center Foundation, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the Catholic Church, and several private groups formed the Koalisyon Isalbar ti Pintas ti La Union (Coalition to Save the Beauty of La Union).
Crisanto Palabay, H4H executive director, said that they formed the coalition for them to have a stronger voice and organization in blocking the 670-megawatt power plant of the Global Luzon Energy Development Corp., the project proponent. The proponent’s mother company is the Global Business Power Corporation, a subsidiary of GT Holdings.
“We formed this coalition so that there will be an organization in the local level to help our groups in the national level pushing for our move against this project. We believe that the project in Luna is dangerous to our health and environment,” Palabay said.
Valentino de Guzman, PMCJ-Luzon coordinator, said they oppose the project because of the alleged ill-effects of burning coal to human health.
“We are pushing (to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) for the moratorium on all new coal-fired power plants which covers the Luna project. No permit and no application should be signed or approved. All should be status quo because we have not yet resolved the issues on the bad effects of all those operating coal plants. Let us sit down and discuss everything first,” De Guzman said.
De Guzman said they will be seeking a meeting with Environment Secretary Gina Lopez to discuss the Luna project situated at a 40-hectare idle land in the coastal barangay of Carisquis and its stoppage.

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