By Anjo Bacarisas
Thursday, November 28, 2013
ADA Estepa, of the Ecology Desk of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, considered on Wednesday coal-fired power plants as tools for gradual mass murder, saying deaths caused by the carbon dioxide emitted by them are very alarming.
“In the United State of America alone, it reported around one million deaths per year due to coal-fired power plants,” said Estepa, to prove her point.
She said these power plants have high carbon emissions, and they release not just carbon but also arsenic and mercury that can endanger the health of the residents within their reach.
According to the website of the Union of Concerned Scientists: “Toxic substances in the waste -- including arsenic, mercury, chromium and cadmium -- can contaminate drinking water supplies and damage vital organs and the nervous system.”
“One study found that one out of every 100 children who drank groundwater contaminated with arsenic from coal-fired power plant wastes were at risk of developing cancer,” the website stated.
“The carbon and other chemicals that are emitted by coal-fired power plants can cause respiratory and circulatory diseases to the people nearby,” said Estepa.
Cagayan de Oro City’s committee on energy chairman Teodulfo Lao Jr. opposed these power plants, citing the hazards they pose to the people in Villanueva town in Misamis Oriental where one coal-fired power plant already exists.
“It emits nitrogen oxide – this chemical can cause cancer,” said Lao.
Endangering Oro
Sulog chairperson Orlando Ravanera added the fumes emitted by the 405-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant of FDC Misamis Power Corporation (FDC Misamis) in Villanueva can travel up to 600 kilometers.
“Cagayan de Oro City is just 30 kilometers away from Villanueva,” said Sulog chairperson Orlan Ravanera.
Sendong survivor
Tropical Storm Sendong survivor Maria Carmen Rodrigo is against these plants because they can cause major calamities around the world.
She said that aside from calamities, they can gravely affect people’s health.
“What is happening to us, like the onslaught of Sendong and Super Typhoon Yolanda in Leyte, is an offshoot of climate change,” said Rodrigo.
Following the precautionary principle, Ravanera said: “Sendong and Yolanda served as a wake-up call for us.”
“We should take a stand for our environment and coal-fired power plants should not be allowed,” Ravanera added.
Lao said coal-fired power plant aggravates the damage in the atmosphere.
For Rodrigo, Sendong taught her well why the people should take a stand against the power plants.
Rodrigo is presently living in Mambuaya Coopville, a relocation site for Sendong survivors.
“I am afraid of the future of my children if we allow these CPPs (coal-fired power plants),” said Rodrigo.
‘We can stop this’
Sulog believes that they will win the fight against the establishment of another coal-fired power plant in Misamis Oriental.
“Kaya kaayo na babagan (We can surely stop this),” said Ravanera.
Ravanera said the group is inspired by the struggles of the people in Luzon against coal-fired power plants.
He said in the case of Luzon, the environmental compliance certificate was issued, but it was nullified because of the people’s clamor against it.
Ravanera said if Sulog can enlighten the people about the hazards of coal-fired power plants, they can win them over, and there will be no social acceptability on FDC’s coal-fired power plant in Villanueva.
Ravanera added that the group (Sulog) will never stop until the battle is won.
“It should be banned. There is no compromise when the health of the people and the environment is at stake,” he said. source
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