27.8 C
Batangas

‘Deep concern’ over coal power plant in Palawan

Must read

- Advertisement -

By KATYA A. SANTOS, CBCP News

A Catholic bishop has expressed “deep concern” over the proposed coal-fired power plant in the country’s “last ecological frontier”.

Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa urged the government to reconsider the project in Palawan due to the harm it poses to human health and the environment.

“We appeal for a reconsideration of the same to balance economic progress with integrity of creation and the common welfare of our community,” Mesiona said.

“Since Palawan has been vastly considered as a beautiful island and ‘The Last Frontier’, it demands from us in a more serious call, to take care of our God-given ecological home,” he said.

The prelate made the statement after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued an environmental compliance certificate for a 15 GW coal plant in Palawan.

DMCI plans to build the facility in the town of Narra as part of its 25-mw contract with the Palawan Electric Cooperative. 

For environmental groups building the coal plant would be a mistake, considering that such project is already being shut down in other countries. 

“We also call on stakeholders to look into it from the vantage point of a long-term effect, on the basis of objective truth and the common good,” Mesiona said. 

He added that they are hoping for a leadership and an entrepreneurship that promotes “total well-being of he people as weightier than any kind of gains”. 

“Hence, fraternal dialogue and transparency must be enhanced in an effective manner,” the bishop also said. 

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has earlier called for “ecological conversion” and act together to mitigate the ill effects of climate change. 


In a pastoral letter on “climate emergency”, they outlined the issues facing the country, among them the irresponsible mining and the growing dependence on fossil fuel-based energy, such as coal. 

Early this year, Bishop Mesiona led an initiative to plant more than 10,000 trees at the Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape, in southern Palawan, as a response to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si encyclical. CBCPNEWS

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

More articles

A MEMBER of Congress is worried that the lack of rainfall due to intensifying El Niño weather conditions might disrupt the operations of hydropower facilities and undermine Luzon’s already tight supply of electricity in the months ahead. “We would urge...
THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) reported a net income of Php80  billion for the first 10 months of the year, representing an increase of 117% from the Php37 billion in the same period the previous year. The improved profitability...
State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager Wick Veloso announced that the GSIS is prepared to extend emergency loans to members and pensioners in CARAGA Region, Mindanao who were adversely affected by the 7.4...
- Advertisement -

Latest article

- Advertisement -