The Save Aborlan from Evil (SAE), Palawan Alliance for Clean Energy (PACE) and Save Palawan Movement (SPM) will support the simultaneous National Day of Protest on September 24 in different areas in the province to dramatize their opposition to the proposed coal fired power plant in Barangay Bato-Bato, Narra, Palawan.
Marlyn Jagmis, Save Aborlan from Evil (SAE) leader said that different groups will hold silent protests in Narra, Aborlan and in Puerto Princesa City to protest the proposed 15-megawatt coal-fired power plant project of DMCI Power Corp., asserting it will have long-term damaging impacts on the environment.
Jagmis said that Western Philippines University will also support the move in line with its existing environmental policy.
“Marami tayong kaibigan na nananahimik ngayon kaya nananawagan tayo sa ating mga kababayan na suportahan natin ang ating pagkilos. Kasama po dyan ang WPU dahil sa sinusunod na wala environmental policy na palaging sasama sa pagkilos pagdating sa ating kapaligiran,” she said.
Earlier, the residents and indigenous peoples (IP) communities in Narra town rejected Friday the 15-megawatt coal-fired power plant project of DMCI Power Corp., asserting it will have long-term damaging impacts to their environment.
Speaking in a media conference organized by the Save Palawan Movement (SPM), Tagbanua leaders Renato Tondan and Norlita Sevilla said their ancestral domain will be “heavily affected” also by the coal plant that will be constructed in Barangay Bato-Bato.
“Maraming maaapektuhan kapag natuloy. Ayaw namin sa proyektong coal dahil sisirain ang aming kagubatan at iba pang bahagi ng kalikasan,” Sevilla said.
Erwin Puhawan of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) pointed out that the DMCI Power’s ECC contradicts the Palawan Island Power Development Plan (PIPDP).
“Nagtataka nga kami kung bakit hindi ginagamit ng Palawan ang mga resources nito na mga renewable energy, napakayaman ng probinsya pero pinipilit nila ang coal,” Puhawan said.
Palawan Alliance for Clean Energy (PACE) and SPM convenor Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda also said that she backs the position of the opposing communities in Narra, pointing out that it can produce renewable energy that is clean and safe for the environment.
“Sa part ng PACE and SPM, we will also support the national day of protest, mayroon tayong simultaneous action, there will be at least three minimum simultaneous activity kaya abangan nalang,” Anda said.
In Puerto Princesa, they will hold a silent protest against the coal-fired powerplant in front of PALECO at 9 a.m.
Other protests will be held in Western Philippines University (WPU) Puerto Princesa City campus, WPU Aborlan campus, and at Narra Plaza, simultaneously at 9:00 in the morning.
About Post Author
