The Antique Provincial Board passed an ordinance last week banning the establishment of new coal-fired power plants in the province. According to the ordinance: “While the Philippines is not one of the major contributions of carbon emissions, we nevertheless have a duty to reduce the impact of our consumption and have an energy mix that is not dependent on coal.”
The policy also calls for a monitoring team to ensure compliance; in addition, administrative sanctions await any government official or employee who “seeks, assists, or works for an endorsement of new coal-fired power plant in the province.”
The province is currently home to one power plant on Semirara Island.
Antique Congresswoman Loren Legarda believes the policy will be an inspiration for other provinces.
“We must continue to lead the province towards the better path of resilience and sustainability,” she said. “I am also hoping that this move taken by my province will inspire neighboring provinces in the Visayas.”
Meanwhile, similar initiatives have already been passed in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Ilocos Norte, Guimaras, Sorsogon, Bohol, and Occidental Mindoro./WDJ