The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) canceled the public scoping for the proposed petroleum storage facility in Naga due to failure to meet the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) requirements. The public scoping was held at the PDS Enan Chiong Activity Center (ECAC).

The project is planned by Therma Energy Cebu, Inc. for the Naga Power Plant Complex in Brgy. Colon, Naga City. The storage facility is set to house petrochemical and petroleum-based products. Groups pointed out that liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) were included in the project description for scoping (PDS). The proponents acknowledged the error, and agreed to rectify this miscommunication and ensure that there really is no LNG and CNG in the mix.

These errors in the PDS reinforce the proponent’s graver violations: their lacking conduct of the information and education campaigns (IEC). Community leader Dominador Basaya of Change Naga criticized the proponent’s failure to engage with the affected communities. “Residents from the host barangay did not even know the details of this project. Everything was revealed during the public scoping, which violates the jurisdictional requirement that the public be engaged and informed about the project prior to the public scoping.”

Basaya added: “The public scoping is held to give communities the opportunity to negotiate the project and address problems that may arise. How can we express our communities’ concerns properly if we are blindsided?”

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) assisted in filing the complaint prior to the public scoping, stating the proponent’s primary offense as a violation of the public participation guidelines under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS). Among the missing documentation were the initial stakeholder identification, initial perception survey results, and proof that the IECs were held.

“If Therma Energy Cebu, Inc.  glossing over the proper procedures this early in the project shows their disregard for the affected communities,” said Estela Patalinghug, Area Coordinator for Visayas of PMCJ. “Considering that Naga already has poor air quality and many power plants, it’s even more crucial for the proponents to engage the communities and ask them how their projects will affect them. This is not just a storage facility, it’s a health and environmental concern.”

The proponents also said they didn’t hold a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) because the project is of a lower risk category, but lawyers from the PMCJ countered that the HIA based on  the law should be conducted due to the accumulated impact of the existing, operating coal plants on health and air quality.

After the proponents admitted their failure to comply with jurisdictional requirements,  the EMB instead declared the public scoping as canceled and treated the activity held as an IEC. Following protocol, Therma Energy Cebu, plans to apply for public scoping again after three months.

Change Naga and PMCJ will continue engaging with the affected communities. The groups also expect that the proponents will duly inform them of the next consultations leading up to the rescheduling of the public scoping.

FOR INQUIRIES

Raymond Ruedas (mediacommunications@climatejustice.ph) 09274382015