By MELVIN PURZUELO
Green Forum-Western Visayas
ILOILO CITY. — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Tuesday stopped the test-firing of the newly constructed coal-fired power plant in Barangay Ingore, La Paz district due to complaints by residents of the barangay and other nearby communities about the foul odor and the noise coming from the plant.
The DENR’s cease and desist order stated that Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) that owns the 164 megawatt coal-fired power plant violated provisions of their Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and the clean air law.
Engr. Aurora Alerta-Lim of the Professionals for Social Responsibility (Pro-SR) said that oxides of sulphur could have caused the foul smell.
“The plant used heavy oil for the test firing but it’s mitigation for sulphur and nitrogen oxides emissions are designed only for coal by mixing limestone. They have no desulfurization facilities to control emissions of heavy oils,” she said.
Several students of Ticud Elementary School were sent to the hospital last Thursday, September 16, when they suffered breathing difficulties.
The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC-Iloilo) served notices to sue PEDC, the city government and DENR for violations of the clean air act and the local government code. Under the clean air law, the State shall focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on control and provide for a comprehensive management program for air pollution. It also provides that the Local Government Unit should adopt an Air Quality Control Action Plan.
Ted Ong of FDC-Iloilo said that “The local government code provides that no project or program shall be implemented by government authorities unless consultations were undertaken and that prior consent is given by the Sangunian concerned.”
The City Council of Iloilo City has not initiated a public consultation with the residents of Iloilo City as required and it has not passed resolution or legislation endorsing or approving the construction of the said project.
The coal plant is scheduled to start operation with one engine in December and full operation in March 2011.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that the city government will not issue the coal plant business permit if it cannot assure the safety of the people’s health.