Advocates from Negros and Cebu launched Sept. 18 the ‘Save Tañon Strait’ campaign, a network calling for the protection of the Tañon Strait seascape against the expansion of Aboitiz’s Therma Visayas Incorporated (TVI) coal-fired power plant in Toledo, Cebu.
Tañon Strait, the country’s second-largest marine protected area, is classified as an important marine mammal area (IMMA). Advocates say the expansion will “impact the biodiversity of the area and the coastal communities depending on it”.
“We are in a time when the Earth is calling on us to protect it, yet our leaders are moving backward. Tañon Strait is one of the largest protected areas in the Philippines, a seascape that gives millions of lives and bounty. What use is the declaration of a protected area when permits are still given for destructive projects that will affect the IMMA?” Bishop Gerry Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos said at the press conference.
Earlier this month, the coalition of groups released a joint statement to oppose TVI Unit 3’s coal expansion, stating that the expansion “violates the Department of Energy’s 2020 coal moratorium and the Extended National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) Act”.
As of now, the joint statement has garnered 64 signatures from organizations in Cebu and Negros, a press release from the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) said.
“Coal is far from being a reliable, cost-efficient, and accessible energy source, as claimed by Aboitiz. Household and business outages are increasingly caused by frequent malfunctions in coal-powered systems. Research indicates that coal is also the main driver behind rising electricity prices. With TVI’s Unit 3 eyeing to be added within the stretch of Tañon, it is hard to convince people of stability, especially when it will add harm to an important marine sanctuary,” CEED Climate and Energy program head Krishna Ariola said.
“TVI’s coal-fired power plants are located in the coastal zone of Toledo and the power plant uses waters from Tañon Strait for its cooling system, raising the local water temperature, which could directly affect nearby marine ecosystems and fisheries,” said Nicasio Blanca, president of Limpiyo ang Hangin Alang sa Tanan (LAHAT).
“Negrosanons and Cebuanos are interconnected not only by the seascape of Tañon Strait but also because of the strong resistance against dirty energy projects, especially coal. The people of Cebu draw strength from its past victories and its collaboration with Negros’ stewards for people and the environment,” he added.
The environmental advocates from Negros and Cebu called out DOE Secretary Lotilla in his decision to greenlight the coal expansion by TVI, in violation of DOE’s coal moratorium, stressing that “what is at stake are the health and livelihood of communities and the integrity of Tanon Strait”.
“To government officials in the province of Cebu, we call on you to be one with the voice of the people and unite for the protection of our beloved Tanon Strait. It is high time for leaders to declare their stance on this project so we may know who really is genuine in their advocacy for the environment and our common home. We appeal to your humanity and servant leadership, hear our calls and fight with us,” Alminaza added.
The Save Tañon Strait network is joined by multisectoral groups from the church, nongovernment organizations, youth groups, and environmental organizations, including the Diocese of San Carlos, CEED, Oceana Philippines, LAHAT, and Youth for Climate Hope, among others. ||
