Anti-Luna coal power plant crusade gains momentum

March 31, 2019 Community Billboard

SAN FERNANDO, La Union – the Koalisyon Isalbar ti Pintas ti La Union (Coalition to Save the Beauty of La Union) remained firm in stopping the construction of the P80 billion coal power plant in Luna town, this province despite a power interruption that nearly ruined the celebration in the passage of measures to oppose the putting up of coal power plants within the locality.

“We hope to see more LGUs passing similar ordinance in looking for alternative power sources in the province,” Tina Antonio of the koalisyon said.

About a hundred members of the koalisyon drumbeat their call to stop the 670 megawatt coal-fired power plant on Thursday. The power plant belongs to Global Luzon Energy Development
Corporation and is scheduled to be operative in 2020.

Antonio said the koalisyon hopes to stop the Manuel Pangilinan-led company in putting up the plant in barangay Carisquis in Luna in northern La Union.

The koalisyon fears that putting up the two plants with combined production of 670 MW will destroy the said town’s geophysical and cultural assets, which is of high touristic value.

Antonio, owner of Urbiz Garden, a resort in the surfing town of San Juan, insisted that the province should seek other sources of power particularly renewable energy like water or wind.

The koalisyon which she helped create as president of San Juan’s resort owners in 2016 has sought help from Malacañang and the Congress, especially House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, author of the renewable energy law.

The koalisyon was able to delay start of construction of the power plant which got an environmental compliance certificate October last year from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

They also filed a motion to quash the ECC issued to the MVP group. “We are still awaiting the DENR’s response to our motion,” she added.

Last Thursday was sort of a celebration for the group after two towns approved ordinances not to construct coal power plants within their territory.

San Juan passed Resolution No. 03-2019 last March 19, and was followed with a similar measure passed by the Sangguniang Bayan in Aringay, some 50 kilometers south.

The San Juan measure, authored by councilor Miguel Corleone Magsaysay, is a declaration that the “municipality of San Juan, La Union, an environment-friendly, coal-free and renewable energy municipality and banning the construction, development and operation of coal fired power plants in San Juan, La Union.”

It was approved by nine of the Sangguniang Bayan members chaired by vice mayor Michael Antonio Magsaysay, but two were absent during the final deliberation last March 19.

“We hope to get 10 of the 20 La Union LGUs including the city of San Fernando in supporting our cause to make the province coal free,” said koalisyon’s Cris Palabay, who led Thursday’s 2.2 kilometer walk from Saint Louis College to the city plaza where eco-talks, candle lighting for solidarity and a nine-act people’s concert led by Dong Abay were held.

Halfway into the concert, however, the power tripped plunging the capital city’s central business district in total darkness that nearly forced the organizer to instead hold “solidarity performances” by the musicians sans the sound system.

Dong Abay was slated for the finale at about midnight. Power was restored some 15 minutes later. Opposition to the Luna power plant started in 2016 and gained momentum in 2017.

The koalisyon is composed of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), HELPS for Humanity (H4H), Kanlungan Center Foundation, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the Catholic Church, and several concerned sectors.

They fear that it will destroy Luna’s environment. The town is known for its unique pebble-rich shoreline that is the site of centuries-old Spanish watchtower (“baluarte”).

Its white beach, cove and coral areas are rich in marine life which is the main source of livelihood of thousands of fisher-folk.

Luna’s Mount Kangisitan, which abounds with rare flora and fauna, is the only remaining rainforest in this province. The town has irrigated fertile lands that feed thousands of farmers.

Touristsalso frequent its museums, art gallery, hotels and resorts.

PML/ABN