Coal shed to enclose Naga coal plant stockyard

ANOTHER shed will be built to enclose the open coal stockyard which caused coal dust to spread to nearby residences in barangay Colon, Naga City early this year.

“This will serve as an extension of our closed stockyard. We hope to complete it by February 2013,” said Victorio Naval, general manager for relations and environment of the Korean Electric Power Co.-Salcon Power Co. (Kepco-SPC).

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia visited the open stockyard of Kepco-SPC’s coal plant and said she was glad that the site is already covered by a net to prevent dispersal of coal dust.

Last Nov. 15, Governor Garcia and Kepco officials had a closed-door meeting after residents complained in the media about recurring dust pollution. It turned out that a new open stockyard was built in the compound to store coal supplies. Kepco  agreed to put up a net to cover the stockyard in a month.

Residents said the dust pollution was under control. “It’s not the same as before,” resident Anecita Paca said.

In a press statement, vice president and Plant Manager Moon Jong Woo said Kepco-SPC is committed to involving the community in monitoring any problems with power plant operations.

“We need the power that Kepco-SPC creates but at the same time we need to collaborate with the community. We must sustain the operation without causing a negative impact on the community,” Garcia said. Joy Cherry Quito