GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines--Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has made a stand against the building of a 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Barangay Kamanga in Maasim, Sarangani, his home province.

Pacquiao aired his position on the controversial project in his column titled ?Kumbinasyon? dated Sept. 24 and published in PhilBoxing.com.

Pacquiao had kept his silence on the project and evaded questions about it in previous interviews.

?I am deeply bothered by news about the construction of a 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Maasim in Sarangani... and as early as now I am expressing my opposition to the project because of the destruction that these types of plant bring,? said Pacquiao in his column written in Filipino.

Pacquiao, who was reported to be running for a House seat representing a district in Sarangani, said coal-fed power plants are being gradually phased out and shut down in different parts of the world, including the United States, due to its negative impact on the environment.

Yet, he said, the Philippines continues to build them.

He vowed to join the Church, tribal people, the academe, Muslims and the youth in opposing the coal-fired power plant.

He said he doubted if the project had the genuine approval of the people of Maasim.

He cited studies saying that fossil-fueled power plants are the leading sources of harmful greenhouse gases.

?The use of coal as fuel is also the main source of acid rain and the pollution of air that we breathe,? said Pacquiao in his column.

He cited solar energy as a clean and safe source of power for the country.

Pacquiao said he?s ready to ?fight for our future and that of incoming generations.?

Floro Letegio, parish priest of Sta. Cruz Parish in Maasim, hailed Pacquiao for taking a stand against the coal plant project. Aquiles Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao