Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. (2nd from left) with Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino (left) checks out one of the booths in the ongoing 13th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival held at the Capitol grounds in Bacolod City on Wednesday (November 28, 2018). (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Capitol PIO)
BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. continued to push for a coal-free province, saying he believes that most Negrenses are against coal-fired power plants.
“We have been advocating this for a long time already,” the governor said Wednesday.
He added that if ever a referendum or a plebiscite would be held, he is sure that a coal-free Negros Occidental would be realized.
The governor himself has proposed an ordinance disallowing the exploration, establishment, and operation of any coal-fired power plant in the province.
The draft ordinance, submitted to the Provincial Board stated that the provincial government of Negros Occidental, follows the noble and brave examples of its government counterparts in Negros Oriental, Bohol, Guimaras, Cebu City, Ozamis Oriental, and South Cotabato.
“This decision has been reached after a careful consideration of the public appeal for the provincial government to denounce any action that will endanger its rich natural resources, thereby compromising the dignity, safety, health, and socio-economic well-being of the Negrenses, which is a primordial duty of the government,” it added.
Moreover, the governor welcomed the local Catholic Church’s vocal opposition to coal as energy source.
The Diocese of San Carlos, led by Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, first issued a position paper opposing coal-fired power plants in October following reports of the planned 300-megawatt coal plant of San Miguel Corp. Global Power in the northern city of San Carlos.
In the Department of Energy website, SMC Global Power is included on the list of companies issued with clearance for the conduct of a grid impact study as of August 2018.
On Nov. 22, the four Catholic bishops of Negros Island issued a collegial pastoral statement strongly opposing coal in the province.
The church leaders called on the people to stand firm together in Negros -- with each other and with civic leaders -- to oppose any coal-fired power plant and phase out those still in operation.
Marañon added that there is a need to push for a coal-free province as the effects of climate change are very evident.
“Our environment is already devastated resulting in many calamities like earthquake, typhoon, fire, among others frequently happening anywhere,” the governor further said. (PNA)
