City to hear all sides on coal power plant

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz III yesterday clarified that the City Council has yet to schedule a public hearing to listen to all stakeholders on the planned construction of a 300MW coal power plant in Barangay Sawang Calero.

"We should have an open mind about the P27-billion investment coming in. Coal as a power source is used by all countries. Australia uses coal 92 percent of their energy source. China and US, 70 percent. We should find ways to meet the demand both side," he said.

Daluz, a member of the Cebu City Zoning Board, said the city needs to address the need for more energy.

He is among the councilors who voted for the endorsement of the project to national agencies.

Daluz said the City Council just endorsed the Ludo and Luym Coal Power Plant project to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned national agencies.

Daluz said there is no approval of the variance nor the project yet, adding that the endorsement to DENR is only a pre-requisite of the proponent in getting operational and environmental requirements.

"The DENR will hold a public hearing when they (LUDO) apply for an environmental compliance certificate and the city (council) too when they apply for variance," he said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for his part, declined to comment.

Osmeña said he will just wait on the outcome of the project. (FREEMAN)