By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A local environmentalist group expressed their gratitude to Negros Occidental Governor-elect Eugenio Lacson after the latter earlier affirmed he would not repeal the executive order signed by outgoing Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. declaring the province “coal-free.” According to Coleen Awit of the Youth for Climate Hope and Coal-Free Negros, the order was a “huge victory for the Negrosanons.”
She also called on the Negros Occidental Provincial Board to fast-track passage of the renewable energy ordinance.
“When you finally side with us, we are beyond willing to collaborate,” Awit stated.
Last Wednesday, Lacson said he has no plans to repeal the executive order and clarified that he does not approve of the proposed San Carlos City coal-fired power plant, pointing out, neither the Office of the Governor nor Office of the Vice Governor has the authority to issue such a building permit.
Last February, as a gubernatorial candidate, Lacson previously said a majority of San Carlos City residents are supportive of the project, noting, “If they want it then I would support it.”
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Romel Debulgado, who chairs the Provincial Board Committee on Environment, earlier said the proposed power plant will push through, pointing out, after visits to existing coal plants in Iloilo City, no environmental problems were detected in the surrounding areas.
He added, coal plants benefit the local economy.
According to officials from the Department of Energy (DOE), Negros Occidental is the only major area of the entire Visayas region that will have no reliable inland power source within the next five years.
DOE-Visayas energy management division chief, Engr. Rey Maleza, explained both Cebu and Iloilo are expected to open coal-fired power plants within the year, with two located in Cebu and one in Iloilo.
“This additional 480 Megawatts, to be generated from the three power plants, will suffice for the Visayas requirements [over] the next five years,” he explained./DGB, WDJ