Sunstar Cagayan de Oro
By Lenesse Marie Libres
Monday, October 13, 2014
IN THE UN Climate Change Summit 2014 held at New York City, USA, on September 23, President Benigno Aquino III delivered a speech in front of the participants signifying that the Philippines is taking huge steps toward solving the power crisis.
“The Philippines is not waiting. We are addressing climate change to the maximum with our limited resources. As early as 2008, we have passed a Renewable Energy Act, and are now treading a climate-smart development pathway,” were the President’s words.
In a press conference for the 3rd Mindanao Congress of the Advocates for Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification and Development (MinCARED) held at a state university here on October 10, Gerry Arances of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) said the President is doing everything, but contrary to his statement.
Weak political will
“The act has been there since 2008 and yet it is still not implemented. There is really a weak political will here. We do not need emergency power. We need renewable energy,” Arances said.
Dr. Ambrosio Cultura II, College of Engineering and Architecture of the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) and an expert in renewable energy, added that the President was asked why they can’t go with solar energy in a recent power summit, here in Mindanao. The President said it is still expensive.
“Some of our buildings here are using solar, and we have acquired great savings. Dili siya ing-ana ka gasto kung imong i-analyze. Wala’y support ang government that’s why we implemented it here in the university para mapakita that this is possible,” Cultura said.
Communities do not want coal
The speakers also discussed coal, as it is an existing power source. However, coal has hazardous effects to the environment and to the community.
“These initiatives include holding the government accountable for pushing coal-fired power plants and its repeated display of skepticism toward renewable energy,” said Clint Pacana, executive director of the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives Inc. (Amreco).
In the upcoming 3rd MinCARED, advocates will challenge the President’s statement.
“Instead of rehabilitating the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex in Mindanao to ensure the continued enjoyment of low-cost electricity, the government is pushing for it to undergo privatization along with the increased number of coal-fired power plants in the region,” Pacana added.
The government has approved the construction of a new 1,250-megawatt (MW) coal plant in Atimonan in addition to the expansion of 875MW to the existing 1,195MW of the Pagbilao and Mauban coal plants.
Coal is considered as dirty and hurtful energy. Its effects can be hazardous to humans and nature and it also contributes to global warming along with oil and gas. Exposure to coal ash is also riskier than cancer.
Accountable
“We should hold him accountable to what he declared. This is a call for a radical transition to renewable energy; safe, healthy, economic friendly, environmentally safe energy,” Arances said.
Ian Rivera of the Freedom from debt coalition (FDC) in support to MinCARED said there is still hope.
“Mindanao has not lost the battle yet. Let us say no to emergency power, no to privatization, yes to rehabilitation and a call for consumers to stand up with us in the advocacy to implement renewable energy,” Rivera said.
The experts are set to discuss renewable energy further during the 3rd MinCARED in Cagayan de Oro City on October 30. source
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