The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) stands in solidarity with the communities of Masinloc, Zambales, as they strongly denounces Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. for his endorsement of San Miguel Global Power (SMGP) expansion projects in the region. The expansion, which includes the construction of Units 4 and 5 of the Masinloc Power Plant, and the extension of the Masinloc Jetty Port, have faced significant opposition from local residents who fear for their health, livelihoods, and further destruction of marine and environment.

During a meeting of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Development of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on September 2, 2024, Ebdane’s letter endorsing the SMGP’s request for a Resolution of No Objection was presented. The said committee is chaired by Hon. Reynaldo Cabana Tarongoy and Hon. Jun Rundstedt Ebdane as Vice Chairman; Hon. Wilfredo Paul Pangan and Hon. Lugil Ragadio also attended as members; together with Hon. Enrique Delgado, Hon. Jose Gutierrez, Jr. Hon. Wilfredo Felarca, Jr., Hon. Peter Lim, Hon. Nestor Pacheco and Hon. Carol Guevarra.

Despite SGMP’s push to continue their projects, the public clamor strongly opposes its operations. In February 2024, PMCJ, together with three other environmental and human rights groups filed a complaint with the UK government agency against Standard Chartered’s contribution to funding four coal-fired power facilities in the Philippines, including Masinloc Power Station. The complaint highlighted that the nearby villages “have suffered economic and physical displacement, adverse health impacts, threats and intimidation of community activists” and that they were requesting damages on behalf of the affected parties.

“It can be recalled that in March 2018, members of Oyon Bay Protector claimed that construction on the Masinloc expansion has destroyed large coal and marine life in Masinloc Bay. The people of Zambales have been fighting for their lives and livelihood, and met with violence and continued disregard. In November 2005, German Greenpeace activist Jens Loewe was attacked by armed guards at the Masinloc facility and struck in the face with a crowbar during a peaceful demonstration that was called after talks about the company’s expansion started. The guards allegedly fired warning bullets into the air, injuring three more protesters after they were struck by stones. These are unaddressed issues haunting the provincial government of Gov Ebdane, that have to be addressed first, before acting on the expansion,” PMCJ National Coordinator Ian Rivera said.

“Kaming [mga miyembro] at opisyales ng ZALIKA mula sa iba’t ibang bayan ng Zambales, partikular sa bayan ng Masinloc, kasama ng mga ibang sektor katulad ng mangingisada at magsasaka, ay mahigpit na tumututol sa pagpapasa ng resolution ng Provincial Government o ng [Sangguniang Panlalawigan] na aprubahan ang pagpapa-expand ng Power Plant Project sa dako ng Masinloc ng [SMGP],” said Bishop Jerome Verba of Zambales Lingap sa Kalikasan (ZALIKA).

The clergy of Zambales, along with local residents, have been resisting coal-fired power plants for over two decades, protesting against projects that harm the environment and threaten the livelihood and health of the people.

“Ito ay labis na makakadagdag ng pag-init ng panahon at pagtaas ng antas ng dagat na direktang makakasira sa kalikasan at mga hanapbuhay ng ordinaryong mamamayan lalo na sa bayan ng Masinloc at karatig-bayan [nito]. Kami ay naniniwala na dapat ng ipasara ang plantang ito dahil sa katandaan ng mga kagamitan nito sa pagsusunog ng coal, na hindi naman direktang nakakatulong sa mamamayan at kabuhayan; bagkus nakakaambag ng mas malaki sa kasiraan ng kalikasan. Dapat [nang] tutulan ang mga ganitong hakbang ng gobyerno at ng mga pribadong sektor na hindi iniisip ang kinabukasan ng maayos at ligtas na kapaligiran para susunod na henerasyon,” Bishop Verba added.

Coal accounts for 54.7 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector and is the most polluting fuel source currently operational in the country, according to a briefer from PMCJ. Despite this, the current stance of the government remains supportive of several high-capacity coal-fired power plants across the Philippines.

“Dahil ang coal ash mula sa coal plants sa Masinloc, Zambales ay lampas sa 32 kilometer radius, sinira nito ang mango production [na] pangunahing produkto ng mga magsasaka. Naging acidic din ang mga sakahan sa Hilagang Zambales. Dagdag dito, naiba din ang kalidad ng hinihingang hangin ng mamamayan. Ito ay paglabag sa karapatan ng mamamayan sa malinis na hangin at kabuhayan. Dagdag pa, ang paggamit ng fossil fuels tulad ng coal sa paglikha ng kuryente ang pangunahing dahilan ng krisis sa klima, kaya ang mga plantang coal ay isinasara sa ibang bansa,” said Dr. Benito Molino from Concerned Citizens of Zambales.

Dr. Molino also warned that if the construction of these expansions push through, Brgy. Binabalian is the first one to be submerged. Residents continue to assert their right to clean air and to oppose these kinds of projects that endanger their lives and livelihood.

“The endorsement is a blatant disregard of LGU mandate to prioritize health and welfare of the people especially host communities, and a denial of environmental and climate imperatives in face of worsening climate impacts. Zambales province is not only suffering from the destructive operations of the existing coal fired power projects but destructive metallic mining has swamped large agricultural areas. These too got the support of Governor Ebdane. We will hold the provincial government to account on these harmful and deadly projects,” Rivera ended. ###

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FOR INQUIRIES
Ella Gacutan
Senior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
mediacommunications@climatejustice.ph