Kepco: Measures vs. coal dust in place

CEBU, Philippines - Kepco-Salcon Power Corp. has reported substantially completing the putting in place of coal dust control measures at the coal yard in its new 200-megawatt power plant days before the April 30, 2011 deadline to prevent pollution and assure the health of residents of Naga City.

KSPC General Manager for Community, Public Relations and Environmental Management Reinerio Lastimoso said KSPC personnel worked overtime even during Holy Week.

“Health and environment are priorities in the process of providing electricity for Cebu. After all, we who are always here inside the plant every day want to stay healthy and live long. The sooner we put in place coal dust controls, the better for us, our neighbors, and our stakeholders,” he said.

To recall, residents and even KSPC workers complained of coal dust being carried away by strong winds every time a fresh coal supply is unloaded from a ship.

The incident prompted Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong to separately issue cease and desist orders on the unloading of coal.

The governor and mayor only lifted the order conditionally when they were convinced of the detailed plans for the construction of long-term coal dust control measures.

They agreed on April 30, 2011 as the deadline for the completion of the construction work.

 “We are pleased to announce that work on the dust controls will be finished in time for the deadline,” Lastimoso said.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is set to assess today what KSPC has done to contain the coal dust.

Garcia said further action shall depend on her findings during her inspection today at the power plant.

“I hope that considerable work has already been done as this would show the seriousness of the intentions of Kepco,” Garcia said in a press conference yesterday.

Kepco is also inviting the media for a plant tour in the coal yard this morning.

A press conference will also be held to inform the public of the measures the company has taken regarding the coal dust issue. — (FREEMAN)