Quezon for Environment (QUEEN) and residents of host communities walked out in protest at the public scoping for the 1200MW LNG project held by Quezon Power Philippines. Residents raised concerns over the plans to construct liquefied natural gas power plants in barangays Cagsiay I and II.

Officially known as the San Francisco Power Plant (SFPP), the project is poised to occupy approximately 30 hectares. The plant is owned by Thailand company Electricity Generating Public Co. (EGCO), with partial ownership by MERALCO and funding from Chinabank. However, multiple violations from the proponent’s side arose during the public scoping.

According to the environment impact study procedure under the Philippine Environment Impact System Study (PEISS), public participation must be observed in the study. However, key stakeholders like QUEEN, the Mauban Heritage Advocates (MHA), and some affected communities were not notified based on the jurisdictional requirements of the law.

Fr. Warren Puno, convenor of QUEEN, questioned this violation of procedure. “You say you complied with the minimum requirements. I am a minimum stakeholder, bakit hindi po kami naimbitahan?”

Atty. Bella Putong of the MHA added: “The public scoping is really necessary but the stakeholders weren’t given public notice and not all concerns of the public were addressed by the relevant parties. May kakulangan sa dissemination nila.”

Lawyers from the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) also asked the proponents to present their proof of conduct of the Information Education Campaign (IEC) and perception surveys, which they were not able to show on their website and during the presentation. “Hindi maaaring ituloy ang public scoping kung hindi naipakita ng proponent ang kanilang jurisdictional requirements,” they said. “If the Environmental Management Bureau allows this public scoping to continue despite lack of proof of compliance to requirements, the EMB will face an administrative case.”

Despite admissions of their lapses, the proponents have decided to proceed with the public scoping based on approvals by Gilbert Gonzales, director of the EMB. Fr. Puno led the walk out in response to the proponent’s decision. “Hindi kinikilala ng Quezon for Environment, ng Diocese of Lucena, ang ginawang illegal public scoping na ito.”

“Ang aming panawagan ay tama na ang ganitong planta ng kuryente dahil ang makikinabang lamang dito ay ang mga proponent. Napakaliit ng pakinabang ng mamamayan katumbas ng malaking pinsala sa kalikasan. Tama na ang pagdagdag pa ng polusyon na makakasama sa kalusugan ng mamamayan.” Fr. Puno also cited an incident in 2023 where five barangays in Batangas reported increased cases of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and filed a petition to investigate the health impacts of LNG.

According to Putong, Quezon province already houses at least 4 operating coal plants and 5 LNG power plants are planned in Mauban, Atimonan, Tagkawayan, and Pagbilao. “In Mauban, we have 2 operating coal plants. The addition of an LNG power plant will only aggravate the already poor air quality and health conditions in our community.”

“Will you continue denying us our right to clean air?”

Putong also criticized the price LNG will exact on the locals, including the importation costs that raise the cost of electricity for consumers. “We acknowledge that this new power plant will create new jobs during its construction, but we also know that it will cost the livelihood of the fisherfolk. The supply chain of LNG risks water contamination, disrupting the marine ecosystem and the locals’ way of life.”

QUEEN and other concerned organizations plan to file their official opposition to the SFPP after the walk out. The organization encourages the citizens of Quezon to join in scrutinizing this project.

FOR INQUIRIES

Raymond Ruedas (mediacommunications@climatejustice.ph) 09274382015