Quezon for Environment (QUEEN)
QUEZON – Local stakeholders and environmental advocates on Thursday called for the nullification of a public scoping for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mauban, Quezon, saying that proponents and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) were amiss in sufficiently informing and engaging stakeholders on impacts and details of the fossil fuel project.
According to Quezon for Environment (QUEEN), a coalition of environmental advocates, communities, and church groups in Quezon Province, the 1,200 MW LNG combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) being proposed by Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. Co. (QPPL) poses many threats to host communities and the environment. Proponents and the DENR, as such, should have exhausted all effort to ensure the meaningful participation of stakeholders – which was not the case for this public scoping.
“We received no formal invitation, even when we are legitimate stakeholders as prescribed by the DENR. There is an abundance of evidence in the Philippines and across the world of the negative impacts of fossil fuels, including LNG, to the health of people and ecological systems. If the proponents and DENR fail in their responsibility of ensuring that all stakeholders are well-informed and involved in compliance processes, how can we be assured that we will not end up suffering worse once the project comes to life?” asked Fr. Warren Puno, lead Convenor of QUEEN and Director of the Ministry on Ecology of the Diocese of Lucena.
Citing a recent report from think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), members of QUEEN and their supporters are concerned by findings that selected areas in Quezon and the Philippines where existing or proposed fossil fuel plants are located already exceed national and international standards for what is considered to be healthy ambient air quality. Atimonan town in Quezon, for example, has already exceeded standards even as the gas power plant proposed in it has yet to begin operation. Mauban, just two towns away, is bound to be in a worse situation, as it already hosts two existing coal-fired power plants.
“The people of Quezon have a right to clean air, a clean environment, and clean energy – all of which LNG is not capable of providing. QPPL and DENR-EMB are posing threats to local stakeholders while neglecting their right to be informed about the risks they face. What else can this be but insult added to injury,” said Gerry Arances, Executive Director of CEED.
According to QUEEN, the public scoping should be declared null and void.
“Excluding us from this public scoping is an insensitive move. We and many others have diligently fought for years to protect the cultural, historical, and environmental integrity of our town – all of which a project of this scale will undoubtedly impact. Any compliance process that ignores legitimate stakeholders like us is invalid and cannot be trusted,” said Atty. Bella Putong, member of Mauban Heritage Association.
Fr. Puno also expressed that the proponent’s decision to name the power plant after San Francisco, the Catholic patron of the environment, is an ironic and repulsive move.
“This proposed San Francisco LNG plant will hurt our environment, our ailing climate, and vulnerable peoples. It goes against everything St. Francis stood for. We will not let such an offense come to life,” he said.
