Press Release
May 6, 2011
Stage Anti –Coal Street theatre, Solar Café at the Park
Davao City --– Network Opposed (NO) to COAL – Davao, residents of Binugao, fisherfolks of Brgy. Sirawan are set to file before the Davao City Council today the People’s Proposal on Alternative Community – based Renewable Energy Sources in time for the 3rd Committee Hearing on the highly opposed 300 MW coal fired power plant of Abotiz Corporation.
NO to COAL along with other anti coal groups such as GREENPEACE argued viability of renewable energy sources especially solar, wind, biomass and hydropower.
“There is a rich source of data and experiences that community-managed energy sources that can solve the projected energy shortfall used by Aboitiz to justify the construction of the dirtiest and deadliest source of energy here in Davao. We are presenting the local government resources that it can tap and develop. Now it’s the LGU’s turn to do its part, to make these renewable energy sources materialize for Davao, for Mindanao so that we and our children will not have to suffer from coal,” said Dr. Jean Lindo, co convener of NO TO COAL - DAVAO.
NO TO COAL stressed that various studies cite the Philippines to have high potential for wind energy.
The United Stated New and Renewable Energy Laboratory (US NREL) in 1999 said that “over 10,000 sq. km. of windy land areas estimated to exist with a good-to-excellent wind resource potential.
“Using conservative assumptions of about 7 MW per sq. km., this windy land could theoretically support over 70,000 MW of potential installed capacity,” said AGHAM, a group of progressive scientists.
““We are accused of having presented no alternatives when in the first place, it is the government’s responsibility to look for alternatives that will not pose severe damage on the peoples’ health and environment. Now we have done our part in providing these information to the council, now it’s time for the government to do what it is mandated to do – enhance research and technology on sustainable energy sources, implement and develop community managed energy resources,” challenged Francis Morales, secretary general of PANALIPDAN Southern Mindanao.
Anti –Coal Street theatre, Solar Café at the Park
Meanwhile, while the debate heats up at the committee hearing, the groups staged various forms of protest at Centennial Park.
Panels showing pictures, graphs and diagrams on alternative energy sources were exhibited in the grounds. Colorful streamers bearing no-to-coal slogans also surrounded the park.
A street play on the ill effects of coal plants was mounted by the Sining Alay sa Bayan (SILAB), a cultural group composed of young advocates for peasant and indigenous rights.
Greenpeace’s Solar Café, which generated power from solar panels, offered free brewed coffee to the audience.
Lindo also made a public lecture on the health and environmental impacts of coal plants. A video primer played throughout the morning program.
At the mini rally held at the park, NO TO COAL urged the public to help pressure the local government to heed their calls for energy justice:
1. Support our call for energy justice, the democratization of energy generation, use and distribution so that energy sources will be used for the benefit of the people and not as a means for the few to monopolize these resources;
2. Pave the way for the peoples’ democratic participation in all stages of energy planning such as in participatory energy audit, holding of a renewable energy summit,
3. Conduct strict implementation and government – initiated validation of the EIA process undertaken by Aboitiz in order to ensure that the peoples’ welfare are upheld rather than profit.
FOR REFERENCE:
DR. JEAN LINDO
FRANCIS MORALES
BINUGAO KAG. FLORA SALANDRON
FORMER SIRAWAN KAG. ACMAD MOHAMAD
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