Cebu City seeks DENR nod for coal-fired plant

Updated February 19, 2017, 10:19 AM By Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/02/17/cebu-city-seeks-denr-nod-for-coal-fired-plant/

Cebu City — The Cebu City Council has endorsed the building of a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in a highly populated barangay to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned national agencies.

The endorsement is required in securing operational and environmental approval for the Ludo and Luym Coal power plant project.

The council voted 10-5 to endorse the proposal after a bitter debate. Its opponents were against building a 300-megawatt coal-fired plant in the densely populated Barangay Sawang Calero.

Councilors Margarita Osmeña, Sisinio Andales, Eugenio Gabuya Jr. and Mary Ann delos Santos voted against the motion of Councilor Joey Daluz III, saying the sentiments of the affected community must first be heard.

Daluz, along with Councilors Jerry Guardo, Raymond Garcia, Jocelyn Pesquera, James Cuenco, Pastor Alcover, Dave Tumulak, Nendell Hanz Abella, Philip Zafra and Eduardo Rama voted in favor of the motion.

Last December 20, the Ludo and Luym Power Corporation asked the city’s zoning board to reclassify the site for the plant from Industrial I to II.

The board said it has no objections to reclassify the site as long as it does not violate the city’s zoning ordinance.