Mayor Gerandy Danao, in an exclusive interview with Palawan Daily News, clarified that he did not have a hand in the approval of the soon-to-rise 15-megawatt (MW) coal-fired plant in Barangay Bato-Bato in his town of Narra.
Danao, who is known for his efforts in opposing the supposed coal-fired plant originally proposed in Barangay Panacan where he lives, stressed that he was also shocked and dismayed when his office received the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), along with other supporting documents stating that proposed power plant bankrolled by the DMCI Power Corp will start its construction soon.
“Hindi ako ang nag-aproba ng coal plant. Wala akong kinalaman diyan. Ang nakaraang administrasyon ng Narra ang dapat nating tanungin. Di pa ako nakakapasok ng munisipyo approved na yan,” Danao, in a recent post in Facebook, said.
After years of opposition from pro-life and environment groups and activists, DMCI Power Corp has finally been granted an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), supported by a clearance from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), endorsements from the Local Government Unit (LGU), in this case represented by the Sangguniang Bayan, and other supporting permits needed.
An ECC is a special permit given to a department or a requesting entity in order for a project to proceed to its implementation.
This stirred debates among and opposition by the residents of Narra with some stating that the Sangguniang Bayan failed to hold any public consultation, which was denied by Vice Mayor Crispin Lumba Jr.
Lumba said, on a recent phone interview with Palawan Daily News, that the Sangguniang Bayan, held public consultations three times in 2012, 2014 and 2015, where it was finally endorsed by the local Sangguniang Bayan particularly during the administration of former Mayor Lucena Demaala.
When Palawan Daily News asked if the public consultation was announced to the residents, Lumba said that they did announce it beforehand.
“Ang public consultation po ay matagal ng nangyari, 2012 pa lang po meron na tayong public consultation na naganap,” Lumba said.
“Naulit ito noong 2014 at 2015, noong inilipat na sa Bato-Bato ang site niya. Dun na rin na-endorsed yan,” he added.
Lumba said that the public consultations were attended by environmentalists, residents and barangay officials of the respective barangays in Narra particularly in Barangay Panacan, where the plant was opposed, in Barangay Poblacion, which had thousands of residents, and Barangay Bato-Bato where the plant will soon rise.
Asked what made the Sangguniang Bayan endorse the proposal of the 15MW Coal Fired Plant, Lumba said that they believe that this will augment the energy shortage problem experienced by Palawaneños.
“Makakatulong ang bayan sa problema tungkol sa frequent brownout natin gawa ng kakulangan sa elektrisidad,”Lumba said.
Lumba also said that the DMCI will still have to comply with permits from other sectors and offices involved before it could start its construction.
“Nakuha palang ng DMCI is ‘yung ECC. Marami pang kondisyon ang nilagay ng DENR na dapat nila ma-comply. Kaya subject for compliance, saka pa ‘yan magsimula,” Lumba said.
Meanwhile residents are in quandary fearing that the plant will provide a huge impact on the livelihood and health of the Narranians.
A resident of Bato-Bato who asked for anonymity, is appealing to Mayor Danao to stop the project in whatever way he could.
“May mga anak ako, siyempre takot kami dito, may minahan na nga tapos magkakaroon pa ng coal plantation. Baka ilang taon lang bilangin lahat kami dito may sakit na sa baga. Pati kabuhayan naming mapinsala,” he said.
Danao, on the other hand, also said that the administration will have a keen eye on the implementation of the project.
He added that if the plant raises concern on people’s health and the environment of his jurisdiction, he will make measures on how he can prevent it from operating.
“Oobserbahan natin ‘yan. Kung nakita natin na may masamang epekto sa atin ‘yan, ipapatigil natin,” Danao said.
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