Friday, April 13, 2018

Negros Oriental officials ban coal


By Lenie Lectura -

THE provincial board of Negros Oriental has issued a resolution that effectively prohibits the use of coal as a source of energy.
Executive Order 9 declares Negros Oriental as an “Environment-Friendly and Clean Energy Province.” This means the local government of Negros Oriental will no longer issue any permit, authorization or endorsements that support development and operation of coal-fired power plants.
The province now joins Guimaras, Sorsogon and Ilocos Norte as pioneers in the movement for a clean-energy Philippines.
“The Province of Negros Oriental has opted to utilize clean and renewable energy in its 19 municipalities and six cities to support economic growth and to deviate from activities harmful for the environment.
As a step forward, the province will cease the use of coal as an energy source due to the posing impacts of its high carbon emissions on health and global climate, according to a statement.
The new provincial executive order aims to support the national government in meeting its commitments in line with the Instrument of Accession to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The said agreement identifies the critical impact of climate change and the need to immediately address this issue through carbon-emission reduction programs.
With the decision to make its province coal-free, Negros Oriental strives for a more sustainable future to address the country’s looming environmental problems, preserve its own local natural resources and nurture a healthy well-being for its citizens. The preservation of Negros Oriental’s environment also supports the promotion of the country’s ecotourism that is truly one of a kind.
Negros Oriental already hosts the 222.5-megawatt Southern Negros Geothermal Project of the Lopez-led Energy Development Corp.

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