subject: Cong. Manny Pacquiao along with other personalities Urges Moratorium on Construction of New Coal Power Plants [print this page] Cong. Manny Pacquiao along with other personalities Urges Moratorium on Construction of New Coal Power Plants
Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao and other Filipino Celebrities, Pinoy rock star Chito Miranda, actress politician Rep. Lani Mercado, political activist Satur Ocampo and former president of Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines Bishop (CBCP) Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro, Iloilo are all insisting for a national moratorium on the construction of new coal power plants in the country.
Together with various organizations, the said personalities supported the House Resolution filed by representatives from party lists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Women's party, ACT and Kabataan. The said party lists have filed a house resolution urging an immediate moratorium on the development of all coal-fired power plant projects in the country until 2050.
The resolution is said to be a response to Aquino administration's push for coal power plants. Administration of Pres. Aquino has allowed another two new coal power plants in Iloilo city and Cebu province which are about to operate early next year not to mention the commitment to foreign and local energy companies to construct four coal power plants in the country.
"The resolution calling for the moratorium on coal-fired power plants will bring immediate and long-term benefits to the Filipinos. Aside from mitigating air pollution and global warming, the country will concentrate in harnessing our indigenous renewable energy sources such as geothermal and hydro power," said Meggie Nolasco of Kalikasan-PNE and spokesperson of Network Opposed to Coal-Fired Power Plant (NO to Coal Power Plant). Nolasco is quite right. A moratorium on coal power plants construction will greatly help the country not only in environmental factors but also in developing renewable energy sources.
Coal fired power plants in the country should be stopped. Aside from harmful emissions of coal burning that contributes to global warming, this application ruins the country's forests and local wildlife. Moreover, it just adds burden to the Filipino community due to its adverse effects on human health. "Coal fired power plants and the country's increasing dependence on coal for electricity generation puts the health and environment of the nation at great risk and adds much economic burden to the already impoverished Filipinos," as what Meggie Nolasco of Kalikasan-PNE said.
Recently, delegates of Malacaang visited Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation (SBSC) and True Green Energy Group (TGEG) offices. The visit was an invitation from SBSC and TGEG to introduce the revolutionary technology on waste management and renewable energy generation to Pres. Aquino administration. SBSC introduced the biosphere technology, a waste to energy system which is confirmed to be renewable energy source based on the American Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Philippine Renewable Energy Law (RA 9513). Hopefully this would be the start of Aquino's administration on making true changes in country's problems on energy and waste management.
