Protesters oppose establishment of power plant near Cebu residential area

Cebu City (Google maps)

CEBU CITY—About 50 people staged a protest-rally on Wednesday to oppose the plan to put up a coal-fired power plant in an area close to residential houses in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City.

The rallyists urged the Cebu City Council to deny the permit of Ludo Power Corporation to build a coal-fired power plant in Sawang Calero after learning that the company already worked out their requirements to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Teody Navea, coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice in Cebu, claimed that Cebu City Zoning Board approved to change the company’s location from industrial center 1 to industrial center 2.

Navea explained that in order for Ludo to put up a power plant, they needed ECC.

One of the requirements for ECC is the location specified in its request.

Power plants are allowed only in medium or high intensity industrial (I-2) districts.

“They didn’t pass because their location was industrial center 1. Now, they were able to get an approval, changing their location to industrial center 2,” Navea said.

Navea said that the group, as well as the local residents, are hoping the councilors would decide against the establishment of the coal plant. /jpv