Planned coal power plant splits businessmen in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The proposed construction of a coal-fired power plant here has divided businessmen between those opposing the project because of its environmental effects, and those supporting it because businesses here need more and cheaper electricity.

Danny Piano, president of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC), said his group used to oppose the coal-fired power plant, “but lately our opposition has become [less fierce].”

Piano is referring to the 600-megawatt plant that energy giants Aboitiz Power, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Taiwan Cogen Corp. are planning to build here.

The change of heart, he said, came because there are sectors in the freeport that want to benefit from cheap power that the plant will generate for the entire Subic freeport.

“Most of those who approve this project are manufacturing companies [that are heavy energy users], which will benefit from this,” he said.

Piano, however, said companies in the tourism sector here are against the project.

He said the chamber’s members wanted to know what measures would be taken to protect the environment.

“If we oppose this project, then we have to come from a place of knowledge,” he said.

While he is opposing the project, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr. said he recognized that it could fill the shortage in the country’s power supply.

“This will clearly destroy the tourism appeal of Subic, and has no place here. I am not against addressing our country’s energy problems

—but there are many ways to do that without sacrificing our environment and [wrecking the health] of our people,” said Gordon.

“One problem about those in the SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) who are in a position to [approve] this project is that they are not from here, they will not live here and suffer the consequences of their actions,” he said.

Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, in an earlier press briefing, said the coal-fired power plant in Subic is critical to supplying the energy needs of the country.

Gordon met with various groups in Olongapo City and Subic on Tuesday to inform them about the project.

“Even if they construct that inside the freeport, the site is only 10.5 km away from us. They cannot just push us aside on this issue,” he said.

The city council of Olongapo, he said, has passed a third resolution opposing the project.

Alex Hermoso, a member of a network of nongovernment organizations planning to launch protest actions against the project this month, said the environment impact of the plant’s operations “will affect future

generations.”

“And so we are fighting not only for ourselves, but for our children’s children. We cannot allow this coal plant to be built here,” he said.