Ilocos Greens support Lopez as DENR head

VIGAN CITY -- An environmental network in the region expressed support to the appointment of Gina Lopez as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.  

The Ilocos Network for the Environment (Defend Ilocos) lauded president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to appoint a long-time and well-known environmental advocate.

“Lopez’s appointment is a welcome move from the incoming administration. This is a step closer and reflection of Digong’s serious effort to root out destructive environmental practices and corporate plunder of natural resources,” said Sherwin De Vera, regional coordinator of the network.

He said Lopez’s track record and advocacy “can make her a reliable ally against destructive projects.”

An outspoken critic of mining, Lopez also supports the campaign against coal-powered plants.

She came in Ilocos Sur in 2013 to speak on her anti-mining campaign and extended her support our struggle against blacksand extraction in the region. Her opposition against the use of coal will be favorable to our campaign against the planned facility La Union,” said De Vera.

He added his group is hopeful that Lopez’s family interest in the energy business will not deter her from siding with the people.

Two 335-MW coal power facilities are being eyed in Luna, La Union by Global Luzon Energy Development Corporation, subsidiary of Global Business Power Corporation in partnership with Vivant Corporation.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), a Lopez-controlled company will purchase 600-MW from the plant.  It also owns 22 percent of the stocks in Global Business Power.

“We also plan to engage her regarding the expansion of Energy Development Corporations (EDC) solar and wind power generation facilities in Ilocos Norte that encroachment in indigenous people’s ancestral lands,” De Vera added.

EDC, also owned by the Lopez Group operates the 87-MW Burgos Wind and 4.1-MW Solar Power Farms in Ilocos Norte. It intends to expand its solar power production to a maximum of 150 MW in the next five years.

The two facilities occupy about 600 hectares across Barangays Saoit, Poblacion, and Nagsurot.

He also said that his group will bring to her attention the negative impacts of ecotourism programs. At least 15 protected areas in Region 1 is set to be developed as ecotourism sites.

The undertaking was announced last May by Gwendolyn Bambalan, assistant regional director for technical services of the DENR.

“The incoming DENR chief and the president must also pursue the repeal of the Mining Act of 1995 and enactment of the People’s Mining Bill under this administration,” urged De Vera.

Lopez is the prime mover of ABS-CBN Lingkod Bayan Foundation and chairs the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. She was in the frontline of the No Mining in Palawan Campaign and figured with a word war with Philex’s Manny V. Pangilinan at the height of the mining debate in 2012.