Cebu, Negros groups seek to protect PH’s largest marine protected area

TANON’S PROTECTORS As Tanon Strait, one of the country’s largest marine protected areas, slowly becomes contaminated by plastic and garbage, the communities around it have rallied to protect it from further damage. One such community is Mambayacao Islet near the Visayan Sea, which considers the strait their lifeline —PHOTO BY KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING

CEBU CITY — At least 60 organizations, including representatives from the church, academe, fishermen, and private individuals from Cebu and Negros  islands have opposed the proposed expansion of a coal-fired power plant in Toledo City, west Cebu. They cited concerns about its impact on  a protected seascape.

The expansion of Aboitiz’s Therma Visayas Incorporated (TVI) is feared to cause water and air pollution, threaten marine biodiversity and disrupt local fishing communities that rely on the Tañon Strait, the largest marine protected area in the country.

“We are in a time when the earth is calling on us to protect it yet our leaders are moving backward,” said Most Rev. Gerry Alminaza, Bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros Occidental, during the relaunch of the “Save the Tañon Strait” campaign in a Cebu City hotel on Sept. 18.

“Tañon Strait is one of the largest protected areas in the Philippines, a seascape that gives millions of lives and bounty. What use is the declaration of a protected area when permits are still given for destructive projects that will affect the important marine mammal area?” the prelate asked.

Aboitiz, in an earlier statement, said their expansion project in Toledo City, some 48 km west of Cebu City, would be equipped with technology that would minimize environmental impact.

The private firm said they would use a “circulating fluidized bed (CFB)” to reduce the emission of toxic chemicals in the atmosphere.

The Science Direct website says that CFB combustion system is one of those technologies which facilitates the use of fuels in an environmentally satisfactory and economically viable way.

CFB technology belongs to the group of clean coal technology, nearly eliminating the pollutants.

However multi-sectoral groups opposed the TVI coal-fired expansion project since it violates the Department of Energy’s 2020 coal moratorium and the Extended National Integrated Protected Area System (Enipas) Act.

The groups called on local governments to intervene and oppose the project, emphasizing the responsibility to protect the environment for present and future generations.

“It is high time for leaders to declare their stance on this project so we may know who is truly genuine in their advocacy for the environment and our common home,” Alminaza said.

Tañon Strait, located between the islands of Cebu and Negros, is home to a diverse marine ecosystem, including about 70 to 100 species of fish, 20 species of crustaceans, 26 species of mangroves, and 18,830 hectares of coral reefs.

In 1998, Proclamation 1234 declared the Tañon Strait a protected area pursuant to the National Integrated Protection Areas System Act of 1992.