Writ of kalikasan filed vs Subic coal plant project

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (RP Energy), a consortium of energy firms that plans to build a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant inside the freeport here, became the subject of a petition for a writ of kalikasan that was filed on Friday before the Supreme Court.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño, Gabriela Rep. Emerenciana de Jesus, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano and environmental groups led by Kalikasan president Clemente Bautista Jr. asked the high court to stop the project, arguing that building it would violate the constitutional rights of the residents of Zambales and Bataan, particularly the towns of Subic, Zambales, Morong and Hermosa in Bataan and Olongapo City in Zambales, to “a balanced and healthful ecology.”

The writ is addressed to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje Jr., the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and RP Energy, which is composed of the Manila Electric Co., Taiwan Cogeneration Corp. and Aboitiz Power Corp.

The SBMA board of directors recently urged President Aquino to relocate the plant, following public outrage over the project. In a report that it submitted to Malacañang, the SBMA said the project was rejected by freeport stakeholders in a 2011 social acceptability process.

The proposed P56-billion coal-fired power plant will rise on Mt. Redondo in Subic, Zambales.

In 2010, a lease development agreement for 40 hectares was signed between SBMA and RP Energy. According to the petition, preparations for the site are ongoing despite the protests of residents, environmental groups and local businesses. Olongapo officials have passed several resolutions opposing the project. They also signed the petition for the issuance of the writ of kalikasan against the proposed coal-fired power plant.

The petition said the plant proponents failed to conduct a thorough environmental assessment of the power station. It also cited community apprehensions that fumes from the power plant would produce acid rain and contribute to the warming and acidification of Subic Bay’s seawater.

“These impacts could in turn affect local plant and forest populations (including 39 endemic fauna and 1 endangered plant species), marine productivity and the health of communities in the vicinity,” Bautista said. “The project threatens the environment and people of Subic … The coal power plant will generate 200,000 tons of waste, including heavy metals like mercury and lead. These wastes and pollution will negatively impact on the environment, people’s health and livelihood of Olongapo City and nearby provinces.”

Gregorio Magdaraog, chair of the Subic Chamber for Health and Environment Conservation (Subic CHEC), said: “We believe that [the coal plant] will damage our environment and our health. We tried talking to [RP Energy] to move their project elsewhere or change the fuel of the plant from dirty coal to cleaner renewable energy. They ignored and belittled our pleadings. They continue to build despite overwhelming rejection by the people and local government units. The time has come to bring matters to the court.”