The Sangguniang Bayan of Narra recently published a statement on Facebook saying that it just “endorsed” the project but not in any way “approved” its implementation.
“Wala sa kamay ng Sangguniang Bayan ang mag-apruba sa gagawing operasyon ng Coal Plant, bagkus ito ay bahagi lamang ng mga ‘requirements’ ng kumpanya para siya ay ma-aprubahan ng mas mataas na ahensiya ng pamahalaan,” the Sangguniang Bayan statement read. It was signed by incumbent legislature members of the former administration under Narra previous mayor Lucena Demaala.
The legislative body also noted that a public hearing was held on April 24, 2015 which was attended by representatives of the barangays, local organizations, environmentalists and personnel from DENR.
The legislature further asserted it ensured that the decisions made by the previous administration were thoroughly reviewed and discussed by the members of the Sangguniang Bayan and that whatever decisions and endorsements made before were only for the benefit of the town.
“Ang mga naunang desisyon ng pamahalaang bayan ng Narra ay masusing pinag-aralan, kinosulta at sinigurong para sa ikabubuti ng mas nakararaming mga mamamayan,” the Sangguniang Bayan said.
The statement also cited the benefits of the proposed project, which includes employment, cheaper electricity rate and additional fund for the municipality. “Empleyo, mas mababang kuryente at dagdag pondo sa komunidad,” the Sangguniang Bayan said.
There was a clamor among numerous citizens of Narra and other anti-coal netizens that they raised on social media vehemently expressing their opposition with some stressing that the Sangguniang Bayan failed to conduct public consultation which was later on denied by Vice-Mayor Crispin Lumba Jr.
The DMCI Power Corporation cannot be reached for comment.