PMCJ to Chinese companies: Fulfill President Xi Jinping’s pledge to end overseas coal; build renewables now!
- Media Communications
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
Quezon City, Philippines — The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) has sent a letter to Energy China on Oct. 1, 2025, requesting its withdrawal from building coal projects, in light of its reported involvement in the Toledo and Atimonan coal-fired power plants.
On Sept. 22, 2025, Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) President Emmanuel Rubio said they have identified a Chinese engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the proposed 73-megawatt (MW) coal plant in Toledo, Cebu. Rubio also revealed that three Chinese EPCs had bid for the contract of the 1200-MW Atimonan coal project.
“In 2021, we lauded President Xi Jinping's announcement at the United Nations General Assembly that China will no longer build new overseas coal-fired power projects. This aligns with China’s pledge to peak carbon emissions before 2030. However, continued involvement in coal expansion abroad undermines this commitment. We would like to share the view that China is a global leader in renewable energy. That’s why we want to discuss the matter with Energy China and other Chinese companies contracted to build energy projects in the Philippines,” said Ian Rivera, PMCJ national coordinator.
Communities in Atimonan in Quezon and Toledo City in Cebu have long opposed coal and other fossil fuels, as have different areas in the country that suffer from the negative health and livelihood impacts of these dirty projects.
"In 2017, Meralco tapped the Electricity Supply Board of Ireland as its operations and maintenance partner. However, it withdrew upon learning of the strong negative community reaction to the project. Moreover, the coal plant was never built since its power supply agreement was cancelled due to its anomalous nature, and no bank was willing to finance the project,” said Elle Bartolome, PMCJ senior executive officer for policy, campaigns, and communications.
PMCJ also asserts that the proposed Atimonan and Toledo coal power projects should not be exempted from the 2020 Coal Moratorium. In August 2025, PMCJ and Kabataan para sa Kalikasan ng Atimonan (KAPAKANAN) filed an opposition letter with the Department of Energy (DOE) following the issuance in July 2025 of an exemption for said proposed coal project. The letter highlighted the lack of requisite qualifications for the project to be exempt, as it has no prior operations, no expansion record, and lacks approvals for the land agreement.
Aside from health, livelihood, and environmental impacts, Rivera also stressed that the energy industry in the country is marred by a systemic flaw – the same entities control both power distribution and generation. "MGen is a subsidiary of Meralco, one of the Philippines' biggest distribution companies. This hikes the power rates and places the burden on electricity consumers. The call to stop the reliance on fossil fuels encapsulates this systemic problem.”
PMCJ calls on China and its companies to walk the talk, lead the transition to renewables, end coal, and support the Philippines' transition to a coal-free nation by 2030. The group also encourages China to strengthen its legacy as the world’s largest producer, investor, and user of renewable energy. ###
FOR INQUIRIES:
Sheila Abarra
Senior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
Viber: +639916692356