The Ludo Corp. plant site in Barangay Sawang Calero will be used to house the coal plant project. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Amid objections from environmental groups, proponents of a coal-fired power plant assured the Cebu City Council that the project won’t cause adverse pollution in the immediate vicinity.
Ludo Power Corp., through its consultant Geosphere Technologies Inc., told the council in yesterday’s public hearing that they will employ measures to mitigate the coal plant emissions to protect the residents of Barangay Sawang Calero.
“We will install electrostatic precipitators, use seawater in flue-gas desulfurization, continuous emissions monitoring systems, dust suppression systems, ambient air quality monitoring and comply with Philippine Clean Air Act and its emission and air quality standards,” Ludo consultant Jose Reynato Norente told the council.
Yesterday’s public hearing was one of the requirements needed by the company to secure an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for their coal plant project.
Councilor Nida Cabrera, chair of the city’s committee on environment, said she will consolidate all information and render a report on Ludo’s request.
But she said part of her main consideration is a resolution passed in 2013 declaring a moratorium on the construction of coal-fired power plants in the city.
Four nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and environmental groups also voiced their objection to the project during yesterday’s hearing together with the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) of City Hall.
Norente said the coal ash will be transported in sealed pozzolanic tankers and covered trucks and then delivered to cement factories.
All hazardous wastes generated by the plant will also be treated and transported in accordance with Republic Act No. 6969 which controls and penalizes the improper handling of toxic substances and hazardous and nuclear wastes, he said.
Even nonhazardous wastes will be disposed in accordance to laws.
Norente said there will be enclosures to minimize noise from their equipment, health surveys and monitoring as well as social development programs for residents.
He admitted though that they cannot avoid the emission of carbon dioxide and that technologies will be used to reduce its impact on the environment.
The NGOs and environmental groups responded afterwards with a short protest rally in front of city hall to denounce the project.
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