Duterte to ‘veto’ Aboitiz land reclassification

By Jereco O. Paloma
Wednesday, November 30, 2011


DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte said she is open to the possibility of vetoing an ordinance reclassifying a parcel of land in Binugao, Davao City, where the proposed 300 megawatts (MW) coal-fired plant of AboitizPower is set to be established.


But she was quick to add that this will only happen if she sees compelling reason that would prompt her to do such.


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"We are still waiting for the official copy to be transmitted then we will study the ordinance," Duterte told Sun.Star Davao in a text message.


Duterte issued such statement following clamor of some environmental groups opposing the establishment of the multi-million Therma South Energy Project of the AboitizPower Corp.


Earlier this month, the city's legislative department passed on third and final reading the ordinance that will reclassify the 26-hectare land area in Barangay Binugao in Toril District from "Protected Medium Industrial" and "Protected Open Space Easement" to "Protected Heavy Industrial".


In a statement, No to Coal-Davao convenor Dr. Jean Lindo said their position is based on the "people's right to health, clean air and water and water and environmental sustainability."


"It also runs counter to the aspirations of the people of Davao for alternative sources of energy that are renewable and environment-friendly and the demand to keep Davao City free from pollutants and other harmful substances that the coal-fired power plant will bring," Lindo said in the letter addressed to Duterte.


Lindo said the Council's approval of project proposal of AboitizPower is in contrary to the city's policies which aim to protect its residents' health and environmental sustainability.


Lindo specifically cited the city's Solid Waste Management Ordinance, Watershed Code, resolution that created the Davao City Task Force on Climate Change, among others, which clearly oppose such practices.


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on November 30, 2011.