coal plant critics hold their rally prior to the public hearing. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Nearly 5,000 residents of Barangays Sawang Calero, Suba and Duljo Fatima were split on their sentiments, with some favoring and others against the proposed coal plant at the Ludo property in Sawang Calero.
Yesterday’s public hearing held by the Cebu City Council’s environment committee showed two factions: some wore black shirts bearing the message “Ludo Take Your Poison #KeepSawangCaleroCoalFree;” while others were clad in white shirts bearing the words “Yes to Ludo Power.”
During the hearing, Nelson Yuvallos, community relations officer of Ludo Power Corp., showed an audio-visual presentation of the Sual plant in Pangasinan to show how their proposed coal plant will operate.
Ludo had brought officials of the three barangays and members of the media on a familiarization tour at the plant site in Pangasinan.
At the Sual plant, Yuvallos said there are sensors that monitor the emissions and air quality in the coal plant area.
Yuvallos said their coal plant would be “sophisticated and clean” and would not damage the environment.
He showed fish pens near the plant to prove that the water coming out of the plant is clean and underwent treatment.
Lawyer Aaron Pedrosa, secretary general of the militant group Sanlakas, asked Yuvallos what type of technology the plant will use.
Rene Morente, regulating officer of the Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Marubeni Corp. (Team Energy), said unlike the coal plants in Toledo City and Naga City that use circulating fluidized vent, their coal plant will use advanced pulverized coal technology.
“Pipinuhin ang coal bago sunugin (The coal will be pulverized before it is burned),” he told the residents there.
But when Pedrosa asked him if the plant can ensure zero emission, Morente said it will still have emissions.
“Kahit anong planta, kahit sasakyan merong (Any plant, any vehicle there are) emissions,” he said.
Yuvallos said the coal plant will employ Japanese technology that is recognized around the world for its efficiency and being environment-friendly.
Yuvallos said he will join the residents in marching against the coal plant if it is found to be harmful to the environment. He said there will be periodic medical missions to check on the residents’ health.
Barangay Councilman John Batucan of Pahina San Nicolas said the council supports the project because it complied with the requirements set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
But residents there like 46-year-old Leonasita Trias said they are still anxious about the coal plant.
“If we get sick, it is costly. If that happens, will they give us medicines?” she said.
Others like Susan Dellosa, a 57-year-old resident of Barangay Suba, said she was supported the project and hoped that her youngest son would find employment there.
The environment committee will convene on Thursday and Friday this week to discuss the project.
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