Maambong brands ECC of coal plant 'abnormal'

As far as Provincial Board member Victor Maambong, chairman of the committee on environmental conservation and natural resources, is concerned the Environmental Compliance Certificate obtained by a Korean firm to put up a coal-fired power plant in Naga town is "abnormal."

Although under the law, the Korean Electric Power Plant, which has partnered with Salcon Power Corporation for the expansion of its existing power plant in Naga town, can already legally proceed with the implementation of the project with the ECC it already obtained from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Maambong believes otherwise.

"According to my reading maybe its wrong. It's quite abnormal that they were able to secure ECC," he said.

Maambong said both firms committed procedural lapses in securing the ECC from DENR because pre-requisite for such are clearances or endorsements from the concerned barangay and municipality as well as from the PB, were all bypassed.

"The foundation of ECC, which is social acceptability, is not very solid because we did not endorse it. I cannot argue with anyone who will say that we need power. I cannot argue with the governor. But the fact is, why can't you comply with the law?" Maambong quipped.

As far as the PB is concerned, Maambong said they are not endorsing the expansion project of Salcon because it did not request for endorsement from the PB, adding that they may not be against the said project but that there is no basis for their stand for it.

During their visit to the main power plant of KEPCO in Seoul, South Korea, last week, Maambong said they told the officials of the company that they should submit their application to the PB so the body can resolve issues concerning the said project before coming out with its stand.

Maambong said the main coal-fired power plant of KEPCO in Seoul is indeed very impressive but that the standards set by the said country is different from the ones we are adopting here.

He said we can only be assured that the power plant to be put up in Naga does not pose environmental and health hazard if the same technology will be applied here and if the company is going to comply with our existing laws.

Although there is no way that the government can do to stop the implementation of the said project even if it does not get PB endorsement, Maambong nevertheless said there is a provision under the law that a multi-sectoral monitoring of the said project continues

Maambong also shared the lament of Cebu Alliance for Renewable Energy that if there is going to be an environmental assessment study the one who will conduct it should be the regional office of DENR here and not in Manila, because the former has the "mastery of the environment, the geography and the socio-economic indicators."

It is because of the shortcut in procedures that Maambong is sponsoring a proposed ordinance which seeks to mandate that a copy must be given to the barangay, municipality or city, and the province on any environmental impact assessment study, application or approved by the national government.

"Because we (it is us who will) die here and yet the application is made in Manila. So it's going to be mandatory that when you apply you give a copy," he said. - Cristina C. Birondo