Councilors' sponsored trip to power plant hit

Sunstar Davao

THE visit of Davao city councilors to a coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental drew criticism from environmentalists and non-government organizations.

The councilors visited STEAG State Power Inc. -- a coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental partnered with the Aboitiz Power Corporation and La Filipina.

Their visit was paid for by the Aboitiz Power Corporation to generate awareness and to educate the legislators of the city of as to what a coal-fired power plant looks like and how it works.

"No to coal fired power plant" convenor Dr. Jean Lindo, in an interview with a local television show, said the councilors' conduct is unethical. "If somebody is paying for your travel, there is something going on there."

The coalition against the coal-fired power plant insisted there is no clean coal contrary to Aboitiz Corporation's claims.

"Kung sa tingin nila malinis, makikita ba nila ang mga toxic waste na ikakalat sa dagat? (If they think coal is clean, can they see the toxic waste being spread in the seas?)" Lindo said.

Vice Mayor Rody Duterte, who earlier admitted he is in favor of the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Davao City, wants the council to look at it more closely and talk to Mayor Sara Duterte regarding any proposal.

Mayor Sara Duterte, who said she doesn't favor a coal-fired power plant due to environmental concerns, said she will leave it up to the councilors to decide on the matter.

Meanwhile, Councilor Marissa Abella, chair of the City Council committee on environment, said a healthy environmental testing should be conducted.

"Maybe it would also be good if they [Aboitiz] invite other sectors to check and study the plant as well," Abella said.

The ongoing information campaign of the Aboitiz Power Corporation continues with the company's invitation of the second batch of councilors to Misamis Oriental.

City Agriculture Office's officer in charge Leo Avila told Sun.Star Davao that if the mayor had already made up her mind and issued the statement against the coal-fired power plant, then the city councilors should come up with a policy.

"As an agriculture officer, I am for sustainable development, agriculture and environment goes hand in hand," said Avila, a former city councilor.

Neric Acosta, convenor of Philippine Imperative on Climate Change, said the decision to build a coal power plant in the city should be based on the context of sustainability and equity.

According to him, it's not enough that the councilors are okay with the coal-fired power plant. "The locals should also have a voice in the decision. There are laws to consider -- environmental and legal laws," Acosta told Sun.Star Davao after his keynote speech in the Regional Advisory Committee Partners' meeting held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

Acosta said legislators should always consider the welfare of the environment and locality.

"Yes, it is true that in 5-10 years, Davao will surely have a shortage in electricity. We are using up 60 percent of hydroelectricity," he said, adding that the watersheds are close to being used up, hence they are thinking of other alternative sources for renewable energy.

"In a coal-fired power plant, we should take into consideration the carbon emission, fossil fuel. For me, if it does not help the people in terms of equity and it will be hazardous to the environment, then I will strongly defy it," Acosta said. (CHB)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 13, 2011.