In light of the recent flooding, PMCJ, Palawan Orgs call to stop mining, end coal plant ops
- Media Communications
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
Quezon City, Philippines — Chest-deep floods swamped Puerto Princesa City and the Municipalities of Narra and Aborlan in Palawan yesterday, February 9, displacing more than 600 families during the heavy rains caused by the shear line—a catastrophe worsened by environmental degradation, caused by mining, coal plant development, and poor waterway management.
The shear line is the intersection of the easterlies, or warm winds from the Pacific Ocean, with the cold air from the northeast monsoon, also known as Amihan. This doesn't usually cause massive floods—indicating the state of climate emergency we are in.
“Upang maiwasan ang baha at maisalba ang huling paraiso, ating ikundina at ipatigil ang mga mapanirang aktibidades gaya ng pagmimina, pagkakaroon ng coal [plant] at tahasang pamumutol ng punong kahoy sa Palawan!” urged Professor Marlene Jagmis of Palawan Alliance for Clean Energy (PACE), where Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) is a member organization. [To avoid flooding and save our last paradise, let us condemn and stop destructive activities like mining, operating coal plants, and illegal logging in Palawan!]
PMCJ National Coordinator Ian Rivera stated that the 15 MW coal-fired power plant of the DMCI Power Corporation in Narra has defied both the country’s coal moratorium and the insistent calls of the people of Palawan to stop its construction.
“We have previously expressed serious concern regarding the DMCI coal plant not only because of the environmental damages it causes but also the serious risks the plant poses to the health and livelihood of the residents of Narra,” he said. Rivera further explained that the coal plant built by the coastal area of Narra, when operational, will release coal fly and bottom ash. These are hazardous as these contain toxic chemicals CO2, SO2 and PM10 and PM2.5. These toxic substances are also found in all other coal plants in the Philippines including heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. potentially contaminating the waters and the air of the municipality.
Despite this, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced its support for the construction of the coal plant in Narra despite the existing moratorium, citing the country’s development and “energy security” as the reason for its necessity.
Projects aimed at “development” were also a key factor in the flooding of Puerto Princesa, as explained by Atty. Grizelda “Gerthie” Mayo-Anda of the Save Palawan Movement and the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC).
“Kailangan ang maayos na Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan dito sa siyudad. At dahil lumalaki ang siyudad at umuunlad, kailangan ng masusing pag-aaral kung saan ba itatayo itong mga buildings. At lumabas sa ilang taon, na ang mga creeks dito ay tinatakpan,” she said. [There has to be a proper Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan in the city. And because the city is growing and expanding , detailed study should be needed before a building can be built. It’s been found over the years that the creeks in city have been blocked.]
Atty. Mayo-Anda suggested studying where the creeks are located and unblocking clogged waterways. “Mag isip din ng alternatibong paraan [para] yung waterways ay tuloy ang daloy. Marami namang paraan para magawa ‘yon,” she added. [They should also come up with alternative ways to keep the waterways clear. There are many ways to do this.]
“Development and progress should be just and equitable. It should take into consideration the carrying capacity of the planet and the island-province, particularly that we are now in a climate emergency situation. Therefore there is no excuse for letting our lands be submerged by rainfall just for the select few who will benefit from the project. Several LGUs have already sworn to transition to more sustainable means of energy generation like the Municipality of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro,” Rivera stressed. The town recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the PMCJ to fully transition its energy generation into 100% renewable energy sources.
A few years ago citizens and environmental groups in Aborlan had won their fight to stop the coal plant being built in their municipality, forcing DMCI to find a new site for their plant. It was, then, constructed in Narra despite continuous opposition from residents and groups.
“We cannot let development be a justification to destroy Palawan and for ‘progress’ to drown its people. As one of the world’s wonders and the last frontier of biodiversity, Palawan and its people have all the right to protect its future,” Rivera ended. ###
FOR INQUIRIES:
Christian John Argallon
Junior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
Sheila Abarra
Senior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
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