Group: Cebu green code should push clean energy

Cebu’s Environment Code proposed a lot of work specifically in the area of energy use and development, an ecology group said yesterday.

Vince Cinches, Cebu coordinator of 350.org, said the code needs an “intensive mechanism” that encourages renewable energy use, promotion and development in recognition of international environment agreements.

“We asked Provincial Board member Thadeo Ouano to give us time. What came out in the code is that the only viable option in the market is fossil fuel … that’s in the province today. We told Ouano at that time that, that’s not true,” he said.

Cinches said contrary to public fears, renewable energy is cheaper than fossil fuel in terms of damages inflicted on the environment.  Ecology groups opposed the presence of coal plants in the cities of Toledo and Naga.

Cinches said they will organize a roundtable discussion on the vague provisions of the environment code.

“We are hoping that this will correct the dismal environmental practice of the province such as pushing for more coal-fired power plants,” he said.

Cinches said they want to push for a stronger environment code in the province.

He cited the environment code enacted by Bohol in 1998 that created its own Bohol Environment Management Office.

Cinches said Cebu’s environment code should also be localized in tune with existing conditions in the province. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus