CEBU, Philippines - The proponent of the 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the densely-populated Barangay Sawang Calero in Cebu City can now proceed with the acquisition of requirements for the establishment of the coal plant.
In a 10-5 vote with two abstentions, the City Council endorsed the Ludo and Luym Coal Power Plant project to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other concerned national agencies, a pre-requisite in getting operational and environmental requirements.
The council session Tuesday erupted into heated exchanges among the members due to their differing views on the matter. The discussion lasted for an hour.
Team Rama Councilors James Anthony Cuenco, Raymond Alvin Garcia, Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr., Jerry Guardo, Eduardo Rama, Jocelyn Pesquera, ex-officio Phillip Zafra, David Tumulak and Nendell Hanz Abella favored the endorsement. Tumulak and Abella are now independent councilors but were previously affiliated with the majority bloc, composed of Team Rama councilors.
Those who voted against the measure were Sisinio Andales, Margarita Osmeña, Eugenio Gabuya and Mary Ann Delos Santos.
Councilors Alvin Arcilla, who heads of city’s Zoning Board, and Augustus Young abstained from voting.
Osmeña said it is important to hear first the plight of the public and concerned offices, especially the proposed project location, before endorsing the project to DENR.
Councilor Jose Daluz III, who penned the resolution, assured that there will be series of public hearings to ensure that all concerns and issues are tackled. Daluz is one of the members of the city’s Zoning Board.
“For me, I’m initially approving this but I want to listen the other side that is why we will have a public hearing but for now just seeing the application P500 million investment with 1, 000 jobs, 200 Sawang Calero, why we do shut this off right away? We want to know from the proponent, we want to listen to the proponent and we want also to listen the other side who is opposing it, but let just stick about it and respect ones opinion,” he said.
Gabuya, for his part, said the endorsement of the project was tantamount to the project’s approval.
“Ang akoang point, if we are going to adopt or endorse the Zoning Board opinion, it is already tantamount to approving the conversion. I think, kibaw naman ta nga mao na if we are going to read the opinion that this council has no adverse opposition to the conversion, tantamount of approving, I think the best action to do is to just note the opinion of the zoning board until such time that we could have public hearing, they have already applied for the variance,” he said.
Although he shared Daluz’ statement, Arcilla stood firm on his earlier position that the project poses environment effects.
Young, on the other hand, said he opted not to vote, considering that Ludo and Luym Power Corporation did not submit any application to the city council for the establishment of the project.
In December 20 last year, the power firm asked authority from the council on the reclassification of the land use from Industrial I to II.
In line with this, Daluz together with Guardo Tuesday presented their report before the other members of the city council, stating that the reclassification of land use from Industrial I to II is “not averse to conform its use.”
The council discussed the project for the second around after it was rejected on April 2016 due to the expected environmental impacts as stressed by former councilor and chair of the committee on environment Nida Cabrera. (FREEMAN)