Bishop Calls for an End to Coal Plant Expansion in Negros Occidental

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza has made a strong appeal to abandon plans for the expansion of the Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) coal-fired power plant in Toledo City, citing its potentially devastating consequences for the environment and local communities. Highlighting the escalating urgency to protect ecosystems amid increasingly severe storms, Alminaza stressed that the coal project, spearheaded by the Aboitiz group, presents significant environmental risks. He warned that the TVI facility could contaminate air and water, harm marine biodiversity, and disrupt the livelihoods of fisherfolk who depend on Tañon Strait, the country’s largest marine protected area, as reported by several news agencies. The bishop emphasized that the plant’s expansion threatens to devastate Tañon Strait and the millions of people who rely on its resources for survival.

As the lead convener of WagGas (No to Gas, End Fossil Fuels), Alminaza underscored the moral and environmental responsibilities of society to transition away from fossil fuels. He criticized the continued pursuit of coal-fired projects, arguing that such decisions are driven by greed rather than logic or sustainability. Alminaza emphasized the pressing need for investments in renewable energy sources instead of clinging to fossil fuels that exacerbate environmental destruction and climate change. He pointed out that the expansion of coal facilities undermines global efforts to mitigate climate risks and violates humanity’s duty to safeguard the planet for future generations.

The bishop’s concerns have garnered widespread support from various sectors. Over 60 organizations, including church leaders, academics, fisherfolk, and private citizens from Cebu and Negros, have united in opposing the project. They argue that the expansion violates the Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2020 coal moratorium, which sought to limit the development of new coal projects. Additionally, they highlight that it contravenes the provisions of the Extended National Integrated Protected Area System Act, a law designed to protect critical ecological zones such as Tañon Strait. Alminaza questioned the logic of designating Tañon Strait as a protected area while simultaneously allowing environmentally damaging projects to proceed within its vicinity, calling for greater consistency between environmental policies and government actions.

In response to these criticisms, Aboitiz defended the project, asserting that it would utilize circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology, a method that reduces the emission of harmful chemicals and is marketed as a cleaner approach to coal energy production. However, these assurances have done little to placate the opposition, which remains steadfast in its belief that any expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure is incompatible with sustainable development and climate goals.

Alminaza’s call to action highlights the broader debate over the future of energy in the Philippines, where the balance between economic development and environmental preservation remains a contentious issue.