Council keeping hands off Ludo controversy

CEBU, Philippines - Despite having endorsed its application for the construction of a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Barangay Sawang Calero, the Cebu City Council is keeping its hands off the recent controversy Ludo and Luym Foundation Incorporated has found itself in.

This was after previous company vice president Kelly Luym requested the Environmental Management Bureau-7 to deny Ludo's application because no discussion was done on the proposed project with other members of the company's board of directors and with their stockholders.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla, chairman of the zoning board committee, said the issue must be resolved within the corporation itself since it is an internal matter.

“Kana nga naay problema sa corporation, dili maka-resolve ang any government agency ana.  Kinahanglan ma-resolve na sa company, specifically sa pamilya,” he told reporters yesterday.

He said the reason why the council endorsed the project to the EMB-7 last February 20 was to determine if it is within the bounds of environmental laws.

Councilor Jose Daluz III, who is also a member of the zoning board, shared Arcilla's sentiments, adding that he supported the project because it means additional power supply for the city, which is growing fast.

Councilor David Tumulak, who sponsored the resolution that endorsed the project to EMB-7, on the other hand, agreed that the matter should be resolved within the corporation.

“Wala 'tay mahimo ana kay (within) sa corporation man na.  They can solve it on their own,” he said.

Tumulak said he supported the project but the matter is now in the hands of EMB-7 whether it would deny or not the application.

“Cebu City needs power knowing that one company lang atoang gikuhaan karon, ang owner(s) sa Naga and Toledo (power plants). Ang  mahitabo diha ang competition…. Kung naa nay competition mo low ang price ana. I’m amenable to this project as long as it will not harm the environment,” he said.

Tumulak said that as far as he knows Ludo is constructing a modern-type coal-fired power plant whose technology the company is adopting from Japan.

In her request, Kelly said EMB-7 should deny the application for an Environmental Compliance Certificate because the project poses environmental hazard.

Sought for his statement, EMB-7 Director William Cuñado, however, told The FREEMAN that he could not yet comment on the matter because he has not yet read Kelly's letter. (FREEMAN)