Isabela mulls power plantrevival

ILAGAN, Isabela – The provincial government is considering reviving the plan of the Philippine National Oil Co. to put up a multimillion-peso coal-fired power plant in the province, amid increase in oil prices.

“The project was not actually stopped but only temporarily suspended. My stand is that we now need alternative sources of energy like this coal power plant,” said Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes, who presides over the provincial board.

Reyes said majority of provincial board members now favor resumption of exploration activities in Cauayan City and Naguilian and Benito Soliven towns for the coal-fired power plant.

The PNOC project was put on hold in 2006 after its major proponents backed out when they failed to obtain an environmental compliance certificate due to the residents’ opposition to it.

PNOC has resumed its information and education drive on the project in Cauayan, Naguilian and Benito Soliven.

Environmentalists, however, claimed coal-fired power plants contribute to global warming.

PNOC’s withdrawal in 2006 came in the wake of a series of Church and non-government organizations-led protest actions by thousands of residents in the affected areas.

The residents issued a petition opposing the PNOC plan, saying the proposed power plant would pollute the environment and pose hazards to their health and crops.

During the time, Gov. Grace Padaca lauded the PNOC’s decision to shelve the controversial project, saying, “Maybe this is not yet the right time for it.”

She said the project started “on the wrong footing” during the term of her predecessor, former governor Faustino Dy Jr., with Isabelinos feeling it was “being rammed down their throats without proper and sufficient consultation.”

When she became governor though, Padaca requested the PNOC “to go back to the people and perhaps start all over again explaining the issues to them.” -- CL