Coal plant proponent vows to look into mayor’s concerns

By Nelson C. Bagaforo
Tuesday, December 13, 2011


DAVAO CITY -- AboitizPower Corporation, proponent of the controversial 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant, guaranteed that Mayor Sara Duterte’s concerns raised in her veto statement will be prioritized.


Duterte vetoed the reclassification of the parcel of land in Binugao village in Toril, Davao City, where AboitizPower Corporation’s P25-billion coal-fired plant project is set to be established, citing its long-term negative and harmful effects to the environment.


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The City Council, however, decided with finality on Monday to supersede Duterte’s decision, after 21 of the 23 councilors present voted to override the mayor’s veto.


AboitizPower chief executive officer Erramon I. Aboitiz lauded the City Council for its move, but said Mayor Duterte's concerns are of utmost importance and priority.


"We would like to assure her and the people of Davao City of our determination to, at all times, keep the development and operations of this plant at a level that measures up to the stringent health, safety, and environmental protection standards that are expected of us," Aboitiz said.


"We extend our profound appreciation to Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the 21 councilors for their vote of confidence in us. We are indeed humbled by their decision," he added in a statement.


The council only needs 18 votes to overrule the city mayor's veto on the reclassification ordinance.


"AboitizPower views this development as an affirmation of its belief that the 300-megawatt circulating fluidized-bed coal-fired power plant that we are going to build is the most suitable facility for Davao City," Aboitiz said.


Aboitiz added the multi-billion project can be an answer to both the city's need for a power source that is equipped with proven capabilities to safeguard the health of people and the environment, and a dependable power source to fuel its progress and that of its citizenry.


Mayor Duterte said, however, that the ordinance can still be repealed should the Dabawenyos push for it.


The mayor expressed frustration at the manner by which the City Council voted to override her veto, saying the councilors did not even think it over when she was just doing something that will benefit the future generations.


“I felt disrespected, frustrated and sad for the city. They should have heeded my veto because it has a powerful message,” Duterte said Tuesday.


She added the City Council issued its decision in a hastily manner without even giving much time to reflect its decision.


“They did not even study it again,” the mayor said, adding her decision was not merely based on what the law provides but was also anchored on the scientific aspect of the possible effects of the projects not only to the environment but also to the health and wellness of residents near the plant’s vicinity.


She admitted, though, that the council has an option whether to accept or reject her veto, which is assured by laws.


She also believes there is no conflict between the two branches of the city’s government.


The Republic Act 6735 recognizes the power of the people under a system of initiative and referendum to directly propose, enact, approve or reject, in whole or in part, the Constitution, laws, ordinances, or resolutions passed by any legislative body.


The same law has three systems; one of which is the power of the people to transmit a petition on referendum on local law, which refers to a petition to approve or reject a law, resolution or ordinance enacted by regional assemblies and local legislative bodies.


Section 4 of the law states the power of initiative and referendum may be exercised by all registered voters of the country, autonomous regions, provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.


In the case of Davao City, in order to reject the ordinance, the vote must reach at least 10 percent of the total number of registered voters and each legislative district must be represented by three percent of its registered voters.


Commission on Elections records as of March 17, 2009 show Davao City has a voting population of 797,214. Ten percent of that will be 79,721. (With Jereco O. Paloma of Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)


Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 14, 2011.