MORE than a dozen petitioners filed a letter of opposition today, February 21, against the proposed construction of a 600-megawatt liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in Barangay Tacub, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.
The petition, submitted to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-10) here in Cagayan de Oro City, challenges the project by GNPower Ltd. Co., which would be built next to its existing 540 MW coal-fired power plant in Barangays Libertad and Tacub, operational since 2019.
Opponents argue the new LNG plant is unnecessary, citing data showing Mindanao has an excess dependable energy capacity of 1,463.4 MW.
Tito Natividad Fiel, team leader of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice-Lanao, said their opposition is aimed at investors and local officials to highlight the environmental risks of fossil fuel projects.
“Dili tinuod nga cleaner ang liquified natural gas. Dili mi musugot ana, kana gani karon ang coal plant is fish sanctuary sa mga mananagat,” said Fiel.
Alejandro Candilado, president of the Takub Homeless Initiative, said the 2014 establishment of GNPower’s coal plant displaced a local fish sanctuary and reduced fish catch by over 60%.
“When the coal-fired power plant of GNPower was established in 2014 in Barangay Libertad, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, the fish sanctuary there was out and erased, which dislocated our means of living,” Alejandro Candilado, President of Takob Homeless Initiative for Keeping their rights movement.
Petitioners warned the LNG project would further harm the environment, public health, and the livelihood of 528 affected households in Tacub.
While Fiel acknowledged the need for development, he stressed it should not come at the expense of people’s health and the environment.
“Dili na mi gusto dugangan pa (since they have the coal plant already). Kani ganing existing wala pa ma address ang mga concern,” he said.
