Bacolod City – San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and environmental groups are demanding the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan to revoke what they claimed “invalid and premature Resolution of Non-Objection (RONO), in connection to the planned construction of Reliance Energy Development Inc. (REDI)’s 300 MW Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) power plant, in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.”
“We maintain that the resolution of non-objection from the Provincial Board is premature, invalid, and is not representative of the multiple stakeholders from San Carlos who openly objected against the LNG project during the public scoping,” Alminaza said in an issued statement on the proposed power plant by the San Miguel Corporation-owned Reliance Energy Development Inc. (REDI-SMC).
He explains that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project is “still under preparation” by the proponent, and that DILG MC 22-018 states that LGUs cannot issue a Letter of No Objection without an EIA, therefore deeming the non-objection invalid.
“We appeal to board members of the SP to adhere to their duty in protecting the interests of our people and the health of our environment,” Alminaza said, adding that “this is being echoed by our fisherfolk communities in San Carlos who stood up against the project during the public scoping.”
Environmental groups claimed that the enactment of RONO in favor of REDI’s 300 MW LNG Combined Cycle Power Plant Project is clearly contrary to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2022-018 with subject “Reiteration of the Roles and Responsibilities of Local Government Units (LGUs) Relative to Projects Covered by the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (PEISS).”
They said that DILG MC 22-018 reiterates the roles and responsibilities of LGUs relative to projects covered by the PEISS and reinforces the policy that the State, through the national government and LGUs, shall work together in ensuring that development activities shall not compromise the constitutional right of the people to an ecologically balanced environment.
They further reminded the Negros Occidental SP that according to Section 5 of DILG MC 22-018, “[a]ny willful violation of these Memorandum Circular shall be subject to administrative, civil or criminal liability in accordance with existing laws.”
Environmental groups also urged leaders, both from the city and the province, to stand in solidarity with the residents of San Carlos City and all stakeholders in protecting Tañon Strait, promoting healthy and sustainable fishing communities, and maintaining San Carlos as fossil fuel free.
Alminaza recalled that San Miguel Corporation pulled out its coal power plant in San Carlos City, but simply replaced it with another fossil fuel that is no less dangerous.
We already know that while it is true gas that would produce less carbon dioxide than coal, it will instead release large amounts of methane in the atmosphere which can trap heat at a much greater capacity for a period of time. It makes no sense for Negros Occidental to turn to fossil gas when we have overflowing renewables that are more than enough to meet our power needs,” he added.
“Negros Occidental is known for being the Renewable Energy Hub of the Philippines, and the continued lack of RE development is becoming questionable. It’s ironic that the vast RE potential of the province remains untapped, while Negrosanons continue to suffer with high electricity prices,” said Griderick Alila from Konsyumer-Negros.
“It is high time our leaders invest in supporting the development of RE infrastructures that have the potential to lower electricity prices, instead of building new power plants dependent on imported fuel, which is highly vulnerable to price shocks from the international market,” Av De Torres, deputy executive director for Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, also said. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)
