Most Negrenses don’t want coal plants – Marañon

BACOLOD City – Majority of Negrenses are against coal-fired power plants.

That’s what Negros Occidental governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. believes.

“We have been advocating this for a long time already,” the governor said.

Marañon is confident that Negros Occidental will be declared “coal-free” if the matter is put to a vote – say, in a referendum or a plebiscite.

The governor has proposed an ordinance disallowing the exploration, establishment and operation of any coal-fired power plant in Negros Occidental.

Capitol follows the “noble and brave examples” of counterparts in Negros Oriental, Bohol, Guimaras, Cebu City, Ozamis Oriental, and South Cotabato, stated the draft ordinance submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

“This decision has been reached after a careful consideration of the public appeal for the provincial government to denounce any action that will endanger its rich natural resources, thereby compromising the dignity, safety, health, and socioeconomic well-being of the Negrenses, which is a primordial duty of the government,” it added.

Marañon also welcomed the local Catholic Church dioceses’ vocal opposition to coal as energy source.

The Diocese of San Carlos, led by Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, first issued a position paper opposing coal-fired power plants in October following reports of the planned 300-megawatt coal plant of San Miguel Corp. Global Power in the northern city of San Carlos.

SMC Global Power was on the list of companies on the Department of Energy website issued with clearance to conduct a grid impact study as of August.

On Nov. 22 the four Catholic bishops of Negros Island issued a collegial pastoral statement strongly opposing coal in the province.

They called on the people to stand firm together in Negros – with each other and with civic leaders – to oppose any coal-fired power plant and phase out those still in operation.

With the effects of climate change already very evident, there is a need to push for a coal-free province, Marañon stressed.

“Our environment is already devastated, resulting in many calamities like earthquakes, typhoons, fires, among others, frequently happening anywhere,” the governor said. (PNA)

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