The Sual power station, Pangasinan鈥檚 first coal-fired power plant, produces 1,200 megawatts and is considered to be the country鈥檚 biggest power facility run by coal. WILLIE LOMIBAO
For the first time聽on Friday, environmental groups and affected residents turned to the Supreme Court to stop the proliferation of coal-fired power plants in the country.
Led by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), they asked the tribunal to issue a temporary environmental protection order and to order the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to stop issuing permits for new coal-fired power plants.
鈥淲e are finally filing a case to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court against the total disregard of the laws of the land by our own government,鈥� PMCJ national coordinator Ian Rivera said in a statement.
The petitioners accused the DENR of not doing its duty under the Clean Air Act to curb air pollution and to administratively sanction coal-fired power plants that are not equipped with monitoring systems.
They also accused the DOE of not doing its duty under the Renewable Energy Act to promote renewable energy.
Residents of Limay, Bataan, which hosts a coal-fired power plant, joined the petition to point out the hazards of coal energy based on their experience.
Cheryl Magracia of the town鈥檚 Barangay Lamao said residents have fallen ill due to pollution, which has also damaged their water sources and plants.
鈥淓very minute we have to sweep away the ashes coming from the coal plants. Our right to a decent and normal living has been put aside for the sake of business profit,鈥� she said in Filipino.
Gerry Arances, national coordinator of Center for Ecology, Energy and Development (CEED), said the case tests the government鈥檚 commitment to uphold the Paris Agreement on reducing carbon emissions.
Sanlakas secretary general Aaron Pedrosa, who heads the PMCJ鈥檚 energy working group, said it would be 鈥渋mpossible鈥� for the country to honor its commitment if coal plants continue to proliferate.
The other petitioners include Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc. and Environmental Legal Assistance Center.