Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star)
- April 9, 2018 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Negros
Oriental has joined the growing list of Philippine provinces that have
committed to be coal-free for the protection of residents and the environment.
The provincial board has issued
Executive Order 9, declaring the province of Negros Oriental as an
environment-friendly and clean energy province.
Under the policy, the local
government of Negros Oriental will not issue any permit, authorization, or
endorsements that support development and operation of coal-fired power plants.
Negros Oriental will stop the use of
coal as an energy source due to the impact of its high carbon emissions
on health and global climate.
The local government will also
promote the use of clean and renewable energy in its 19 municipalities and six
cities to support economic growth and to deviate from activities harmful for
the environment.
It already hosts the 222.5-megawatt
Southern Negros Geothermal Project of the Lopez-led Energy Development Corp.
(EDC).
The new provincial executive order
is in support of the national government’s commitment in line with the
Instrument of Accession to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change signed by
President Duterte.
The agreement identifies the
critical impact of climate change and the need to immediately address this
issue through carbon emission reduction programs.
With the decision to make its
province coal-free, Negros Oriental will strive for a more sustainable future
to address the country’s looming environmental problems, preserve its own local
natural resources, and nurture a healthy well-being for its citizens.
The preservation of Negros
Oriental’s environment also supports the promotion of the country’s
eco-tourism.
Negros Oriental now joins Guimaras,
Sorsogon, and Ilocos Norte as pioneers in the movement for a clean-energy
Philippines.
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