Quezon City, Philippines – Today, thousands of Filipinos mobilized to demand an immediate end to coal expansion, ahead of the COP29 Climate Summit. Protests were held in key areas including Sual in Pangasinan, Mariveles in Bataan, Masinloc in Zambales, Batangas City, Mauban and Pagbilao in Quezon Province, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Naga and Toledo Cities in Cebu, Zamboanga City, Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, Maasim in Saranggani, Malita in Davao Occidental and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. These areas are where coal plants continue to damage local communities.
“With the recent contravention of DOE on the coal moratorium, havoc will intensify. Coal has been ruining lives and harming the environment and communities for decades,” said Ian Rivera, National Coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ). “Despite a 2020 moratorium, Secretary Lotilla’s move has opened doors for the resurgence of coal. This would not have happened if the government through the DOE had not tied the country’s energy development to the deadly and expensive imported fossil fuels. The high cost of LNG (liquified natural gas) in the global market has turned the heads of energy companies to coal not only in the Philippines but also in Asia. The country will continue its fossil fuel addiction, if clean and cost competitive renewables will not be given due attention by BBM (Bongbong Marcos) and DOE. We demand an immediate halt to new coal plants and a swift phase-out of existing ones,” he added.
While coal is making its way again globally, the Asia People’s Movement on Debt and Development is leading the charge to prevent the resurgence in Asia. “ On September 13 we are joining hundreds of mobilizations all over the world calling for an end to fossil fuels. In Asia more than a hundred actions will take place in several countries including the Philippines. We are calling on Asian governments to stop the expansion of coal in our countries and implement a rapid, equitable and just phase-out of existing coal. Our electricity needs can be met with renewable energy, which is less costly, quicker to build, easier to make accessible to all communities and reduces reliance on imported fuels,” stressed Lidy Nacpil, the Asia Coordinator of APMDD.
A Battleground for Coal Expansion
New coal projects are pushing forward despite their known dangers. In Luzon, Mariveles is set to add 2 units of 150-megawatt (MW) coal plant, and Masinloc is expanding with an additional unit of 315 MW facility, worsening pollution and health issues.
Palawan also faces a threat with a proposed 15 MW coal plant in Nara, adding to the frontline fight against coal.
“The proposed coal expansions in Mariveles and Masinloc will not only worsen pollution, health problems and climate crisis; it will also impact the high cost of electricity as these coal are imported. We need an immediate stop to these projects,” said PMCJ Luzon Campaigner Erwin Puhawan.
In the Visayas, Toledo City, Cebu, “Threat to life and destruction will escalate by the recent expansion announcement of Aboitiz’s Therma Visayas Incorporated (TVI) of its 169 MW coal plant. If this is constructed, it will join the eight existing and operating coal plants in the city. These coal plants are already causing health issues and damaging the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.” quote Citizens of Coal Communities for Clean Air and Climate Justice (C4CJ), a multisectoral coalition of organizations opposed to coal and campaigning for healthy air in Toledo City. Local communities are pushing for comprehensive Health Impact Assessments on all operating coal plants in Toledo City.
In Concepcion, Iloilo, the town faces a 135 MW coal plant that adds to ongoing environmental and health concerns. Coal plants in Iloilo experienced forced outages in the first half of this year, affecting the economic activities and businesses of Iloilo city. The city government is now serious about shifting to renewable energy.” Estela Patalinghug, the PMCJ Visayas Region Coordinator has emphasized.
PMCJ Mindanao Coordinator Rara Ada added, “Our communities in Mindanao are already suffering from coal pollution. New projects will only make things worse. We demand a total phase-out of coal by 2035.” PMCJ in Mindanao is reacting to the continued operation of coal plants in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, Malita in Davao Occidental, Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, and Maasim, in Saranggani. These areas will continue to suffer extreme coal impacts as expansion will be expected in the town of Villanueva in Misamis Oriental and Zamboanga City, as a result of the violation of coal moratorium by DOE Secretary Lotilla and President BBM.
Renewable Energy as a Viable Alternative
PMCJ highlighted renewable energy sources like solar and wind as practical alternatives to coal. “Renewable energy is not only feasible but essential for our health and economy,” said Lito Vasquez, PMCJ Visayas Policy Adviser. The cost of renewables has become so competitive that it begs to question the government why it continues to promote coal. The DOE Secretary has been facing a graft charge at the Ombudsman for his alleged violation of a coal moratorium by favoring Aboitiz Power’s power plant expansion in Toledo, City.
Today’s Global Day of Action kicks off a broader campaign leading into the Global Week of Action for Climate Finance and Fossil-Free Futures, aiming to drive home the urgent need to end coal.
“The resurgence of coal will put our common future in the balance as it will further close the timeline for climate catastrophe. This is a form of oppression by a handful of energy companies, banks, investors, international finance institutions and northern governments who continue to profit on the business of fossil fuels at the expense of the lives of the 99% of the population of the world. We demand immediate action now to end coal and make the ban permanent for the health of our people and our planet,” Rivera concluded. ###
#GWAC2024 #EndCoal #RenewableEnergyNow
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