JOINT STATEMENT: SAVE TAÑON STRAIT: NO TO ABOITIZ’ THERMA VISAYAS INCORPORATED (TVI) COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT EXPANSION

Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED)

We, the different peoples’ organizations and civil society organizations of Cebu and Negros, stand united in our opposition to the illegal coal-fired power plant expansion by the Therma Visayas Incorporated (TVI) in Toledo, Cebu, contributing to the damage of the country’s biggest marine protected area – the Tañon Strait. 

Recently, Aboitiz-owned TVI announced its plan to expand its Unit 3 power plant. This coal expansion by TVI violates the Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2020 coal moratorium, which was intended to lessen coal dependence and lessen the impact of coal plants on the environment and climate.

This DOE-backed coal expansion in Toledo, Cebu is fronting San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, and adjacent to Tañon Strait which is a protected seascape under RA 11038 or also known as the Extended National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) Act. It is known to be the Philippines’ biggest marine protected area with 521,018 hectares, and an important marine mammal area (IMMA) with 14 species of dolphins and whales, including endangered species like the Irrawaddy dolphins. Tañon Strait is also one of the country’s major fishing grounds, a vital source of food and income for coastal communities in both Cebu and Negros. 

Moreover, the existence of the two coal-fired power plants in Toledo and its plan of further expansion violates the aforementioned national law and will expose communities to continued and exacerbated health risks. A study by the Center for Energy Ecology and Development showed that the air quality in coal-affected communities exceeded the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) national air quality standards.

It is deeply concerning that DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla, who previously served as an Independent Director at AboitizPower, has authorized this expansion, contradicting the very moratorium his agency is meant to enforce. This decision raises serious questions about conflicts of interest.

Thus, it is our call that Secretary Lotilla’s decision to greenlight TVI’s coal expansion amidst the coal moratorium be thoroughly investigated. The Department of Energy should abide by its own rules. It should ensure the strict enforcement of the coal moratorium, given that what is at stake is the ecology, health, and livelihood of the people of Negros and Cebu. 

Cebuanos and Negrosanons draw strength in solidarity against destructive energy projects after seeing its effects in our backyards and every coal-affected community in the Philippines. The current climate imperative demands that our country’s energy transition should be directed towards a shift to renewable energy to ensure a just and sustainable future for all. We will continue to amplify our voices, all for the pursuit of safeguarding the future of our communities and the protection of our common home.

CURRENT SIGNATORIES:

1. Diocese of San Carlos
2. One Negros Ecumenical Council (ONE-C)
3. Lunhaw – Diocese of San Carlos 
4. Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED)
5. Sipaway Seagrass Guardians
6. Konsyumer Negros 
7. Youth for Climate Hope Philippines 
8. Oceana
9. One Negros for Renewable Energy 
10. Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino Negros
11. Mangrove Matters PH 
12. Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc. – Center for Democracy and Participation
13. Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc. – Climate Solutions Center
14. Reboot Philippines Renewable Energy Transition Institute
15. Reboot Philippines Renewable Energy Transition Institute – Bacolod
16. Pamatan-on nga Mangunguma sang Negros Alliance
17. Freedive Fishing Group of San Carlos City 
18. Optimum Diving Supplies and Learning Center Supplies – San Carlos
19. Tinaugan Fisherfolk Association – Municipality of Bindoy 
20. Tinaugan Fisherfolk Assiciation – Municipality of Bindoy 
21. Domolog United Small Scale Fisherfolk Association – Municipality of Bindoy 
22. Malaga United Fisherfolk Association – Municipality of Bindoy 
23. Asosasyon sa mga Gagmayng Mananagat sa Poblasyon – Municipality of Bindoy
24. Kapunungan sa mga Gagmayng Mananagat sa Pangalaycayan – Municipality of Bindoy
25. Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment
26. Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante – UP Cebu
27. PFI-Pagtambayayong-Foundation for Mutual Aid.,Inc.
28. TULHOA- Tarcum Upper Laguert Homeowners Association, Inc.
29. Creekside River View Homeowners Association, Inc. 
30. Sto. Thomas Group Homeowners Association, Inc.
31. UPALL – Urban Poor Alliance of Cebu
32. Project Roi Homeowners Association, Inc.
33. Project Joshua Homeowners Association, Inc 
34. Sanlakas Cebu
35. Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino Cebu
36. Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod Cebu
37. Oriang Cebu
38. Freedom from Debt Coalition Cebu
39. Partido Lakas ng Masa Cebu
40. PFI (Pagtambayayong Foundation Inc.) Cebu
41. UP ALL (Urban Poor Alliance) Cebu
42. Ligdung Sumbanan Alang Sa Kabataan Sa Cebu (LISU)
43. UP Cebu University Student Council
44. No to 174 Dumaguete Islands 
45. UP Cebu Union of Progressive Students
46. Sectoral Center for Policy Reform (SCPR) – Negros
47. Women’s Organization for Reform Development and Solidarity (WORDS) – Negros
48. Association of Small Farmers in Purok Ilaya (ASFaPI) – Negros 
49. Barangay Batea Marginal Fisherfolks Association (BBMFA) – Negros 
50. Youth Organization Under New Generation (YOUNG) – Negros 
51. Limpiyo ang Hangin Alang sa Tanan (LAHAT) – Toledo, Cebu
52. Guadalupe Women’s Community – Cebu
53. Yolanda Survivor Women Association (YSWA) – Tacloban City
54. Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines 
55. Yolanda Survivor Fisherfolks Association (YSFA) – Tacloban
56. PFI – Pagtinabangay Foundation Inc. – Ormoc City
57. Save Ormoc Bay (SOBA)
58. Buho Fisherfolks Association – Tabango, Leyte
59. University of San Carlos Supreme Student Council