Subic groups, execs laud SC writ vs coal power plant

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The coalition of organizations and government officials opposing the construction of the 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant here lauded the Supreme Court for issuing a writ of kalikasan against the project on Tuesday.

Through the writ, the high court ordered the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the project proponent, Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (RP Energy), to answer concerns raised by groups opposing the project. The court, however, did not issue a temporary environmental protection order (Tepo) that would suspend activities related to the coal-fired power plant.

“[This] is very encouraging news to us, residents and businesses who are opposing dirty coal energy. We are thankful to the Supreme Court for its swift action on this significant issue which stands to affect the lives and livelihood of the people of Subic, Olongapo, Zambales, and Bataan,” said Jen Velarmino, spokesperson of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber for Health and Environment Conservation (SBF-CHEC), in a statement.

“This is the people’s first big score in protecting our environment and health in light of other unavoidable disasters,” she added.

In a statement, RP Energy said it will comply with the court’s order.

“RP Energy has 10 days to file its verified response upon formal receipt of the writ and we will do so,” it said.

Last month, more than 1,000 residents, students, government officials and members of nongovernment organizations staged a second protest march here against the coal-fired plant project.

Olongapo Vice Mayor Rolen Paulino said politics should not be a hindrance in the struggle against the coal plant.

“This is for all of us, regardless of the political factions that we belong to. If we don’t stop this, every one of us will suffer,” he said.

Former SBMA director Jobo Magsaysay said when RP Energy was presenting the project to the previous SBMA board, the firm’s representatives could not cite an example of an environmentally friendly coal-fired plant.

“RP Energy should just leave Subic. President Aquino, in his State of the Nation Address, said he wanted to boost tourism. And to do that, places like Subic need to be protected. RP Energy should go where they won’t cause any damage to the people or the environment,” Magsaysay said.

Mario Esquillo, one of the organizers of the protest march, said a bigger rally against that coal-fired plant project would be held this month.

“We won’t stop until RP Energy goes away,” he said. Robert Gonzaga, Inquirer Central Luzon