Antique bans new coal-fired power plants

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Construction of new coal-fired power plants in the province of Antique is now prohibited.

This, after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique passed an ordinance on Feb 21, 2020 declaring the ban on new coal-fired power plants.

Claiming the harmful effects of such plants, Board Member Karmila Rose Dimamay, the proponent of the ordinance, emphasized that it is the policy of the province to maintain a well-balanced environment by implementing projects which are environmentally friendly and sustainable.

“Burning coal releases mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals that can cause asthma and other breathing difficulties, brain damage, heart problems, cancer, neurological disorders, and while there are some protections afforded by law, these are vulnerable to future revisions beyond the control of the province and implementation and strict monitoring have been difficult and weak,” she said.

Antique being an agricultural province cannot afford to bear the impact of coal-fired power plants, Dimamay stressed.

“As an agricultural province with most of the population being farmers and fisherfolk, Antique can ill afford to bear the destructive effects of coal power on agriculture and fisheries, such as thermal pollution, coal ash resuspension and spillage to water bodies,” the ordinance said.

Under the ordinance, a monitoring team composed of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Provincial Health Officer (PHO), and Provincial Legal Officer (PLO), among others, will be created through an executive order (EO) to be issued by the governor.

The composite team is tasked to coordinate with Barangay and Municipal local government units to ensure that no endorsement shall be given to any individual entity or corporation that applies for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and alert the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on any negotiations, applications or amendments to any Coal Operating Contracts entered into with Department of Energy concerning any part of the province.

Moreover, the team can endorse filing of administrative cases with the Provincial Legal Office against any local official or government employee who violates the declared policy of the province.

The ordinance also ordered barangay local government units (LGUs) for strict monitoring of any transaction or application for a new coal-fired power plant in their areas of jurisdiction.

The move of the provincial government received support from Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda.

“Proliferation of new coal-fired power plants will only contribute to our own destruction and will only go against our commitment to reduce emissions to ensure livable communities today and for the future. Our goal to reduce carbon emissions will be impossible if we will continue to allow the construction and operation of additional coal-fired power plants. Thus, this crucial action of our local government is a vital step towards climate resilience,” she said in a statement.

Antique hosts one of the biggest coal-fired power plant businesses in the country.

Since 1980, Semirara Mining and Power Corp’s (SMPC) had been extracting and developing mine coal resources in Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique.