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Cebu (Agenzia Fides) - The Tañon Strait is a stretch of sea located between the islands of Negros and Cebu, in the central Philippines and is known for its biodiversity and crystal clear waters, used by the fishermen of these islands and visited by tourists. These waters are at risk of being contaminated and affected if the plan to expand the Therma Visayas coal-fired power plant in Toledo on the island of Cebu, a project entrusted to the multinational Aboitiz, is implemented. For this reason, a network of more than 50 civil society organizations in Negros and Cebu has published an appeal calling on the institutions to review their plans. The signatories also include Catholic organizations and communities, as well as groups promoting renewable energy, including trade unions, youth organizations, and local fishermen associations.
The expansion of the coal-fired power plant violates the Extended National Integrated Protected Area System Act (ENIPAS), a national law that protects certain marine and coastal areas in the Philippine archipelago that are valuable for their biodiversity. This includes the Tañon Strait, which is “much loved and cherished by the people of both Cebu and Negros as it provides livelihood and sustenance to local communities,” the text says. “This beautiful work of creation is one of the few marine paradises we have left, and we should protect it from any threat, especially the threat of coal, which should have been eliminated long ago because of its serious impact on people’s lives and the environment,” said Bishop Gerry Alminaza of San Carlos in Negros. He supports the NGO's appeal on behalf of the local Catholic community, recalling that the Church celebrates the "Season of Creation" in September, focusing on issues such as the Tañon Strait.
The Tañon Strait is an important fishing area as well as an area of high reproduction of marine mammals, with 14 documented species of whales and dolphins, including the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. Meanwhile, projects to expand tourism sustainably are being developed on the islands of Negros and Cebu, and this sector would also be severely damaged by the new projects. The NGO's statement also points to the violation of the coal moratorium issued by the Department of Energy in 2020, and asks the government why the department has given the "green light" to the project now. The media is also describing the matter as a potential “conflict of interest” because the current Secretary General of the Energy Ministry, Rapahel Lotilla, previously held senior positions in coal-related companies such as Aboitiz and is now facing corruption charges for failing to comply with the coal moratorium.
“Approving the expansion of coal-fired power plants means that the government is prioritizing outdated energy sources over the well-being of our ecosystems and future generations. Why build more power plants that are unreliable and pose a serious threat to marine and coastal areas? Coal is a thing of the past and the Energy Ministry should be pushing ahead with the phase-out of coal instead of issuing new permits for coal-fired power projects,” said Krishna Ariola, director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, a study center for environmental and energy issues.
Catholic groups in particular refer to the encyclical "Laudato Sì", which calls for economic development that respects the lives of local people and the "common home", in this case identified with the Tañon Strait. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 13/9/2024)
