By Henry Empeño | October 20, 2024

MASINLOC, Zambales — Fishermen and farmers from Zambales, along with climate activists representing vulnerable grassroots communities, sounded on Friday their opposition to the proposed expansion of the Masinloc coal power plant, warning of health and livelihood threats should the project push through.

In a petition submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the groups headed by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) called on the government to revoke any endorsement for the proposed project and push instead for clean renewable energy sources.

“We register our vehement opposition to the proposed expansion of the Masinloc coal-fired power plant operated by Masinloc Power Partners Co., Ltd. (MPPCL) in Barangay Bani, Masinloc, Zambales,” the petitioners said in their letter. “The construction and expansion of the Masinloc Coal Plant will endanger the environment, health, and livelihood of the residents of Masinloc,” they added.

The petition was addressed to Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Y. Loyzaga and other DENR officers, as well as key local government officials like Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap, chairperson of the Regional Development Council in Region III; Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Vice Gov. Jacqueline Rose Khonghun; and Masinloc Mayor Arsenia Lim.

MPPCL, a subsidiary of SMC Global Power Holdings, Inc. (SMCGPH), currently operates three power generation units here: Units 1 and 2 producing 324 megawatts (MW) each, and Unit 3 with 300 MW.

In 2021, MPPCL applied for an increase in the capacity of Unit 4 from 300 MW to 315 MW and for the installation of additional Unit 5 with the same capacity.

The expansion, the MPPCL said, would increase the Masinloc plant’s total power generating capacity from 1,248 MW to 1,578 MW and contribute to addressing the increasing power demand in the country.

It will also “benefit the national and local government through generation of revenues, boost local employment, increase livelihood opportunities and its multiplier effects, and improve carbon sink through reforestation programs,” the MPPCL said in its 2021 proposal.

However, the PMCJ and allied community groups, pointed out that coal plants remain to be heavy sources of pollution, as numerous toxins are expelled into the air during their operation. Long-term exposure to air pollution, they said, results in sickness like asthma, brain damage, heart problems, cancer, neurological disorders, an even premature death.

“In the Philippines, 27,000 premature deaths have been attributed to exposure to air pollution from coal plant operations,” the petitioners said, citing a Greenpeace Philippines report.

They added that sludge and slurry discharged from the coal plant pollute water, as they contain carcinogens and other heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, chromium and nickel. These also result in eutrophication (excessive plant and algae bloom that cripples oxygen production), stratification (differentiation of water density that leads to build-up of ammonia, phosphorus, and hydrogen sulfide), coral bleaching, and acid rain.

The groups also stressed that coal plant operations negatively affect the livelihood of fisherfolk, who have observed declining fish catch since the operation of the coal-fired plant in the area.

Aside from urging the government to revoke endorsement of the coal plant expansion, the petitioners asked the government to investigate the livelihood, health and environmental situation of host barangay Bani and nearby communities; render medical intervention to health cases; provide livelihood assistance to displaced fishermen; and promote and push for clean renewable energy alternatives.

The petition was signed by representatives of the New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association, Zambales Lingap sa Kalikasan (Zalika), Zalika Youth, Deltacom Phil. Panatag 5900 Base, Small Fishpond Operators of Palauig, Zambales; Rural Improvement Club, Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz, Zambales; Iba Farmers Association, Zambales Farmers Association, Zalika Women, Sanlakas, and PMCJ. 