The Diocese of Lucena called for the cancellation of three coal-fired power plant projects in the province of Quezon for fear that it would add to environmental degradation.
In a statement signed by over 100 members of the clergy, including Bishop Mel Rey Uy of Lucena, the diocese urged corporations “to listen to the cry of the Earth.”
“We appeal to the local and national government and their respective agencies to listen to the cry of the people of Quezon and disallow these projects and any further coal plants in our beloved province,” read the statement release of August 31.
Municipalities under the Diocese of Lucena are already home to an installed coal capacity of at least 1,644 MW. The proposed projects would triple this with an additional 3,330 MW of coal.
“Already, the people of Quezon have suffered respiratory and skin diseases associated with toxic coal plant emissions,” said the church leaders.
“They have been robbed of their land, their livelihood, and their rights from pollution, development aggression, and exclusion from decision-making processes,” added the statement.
The issuance of the statement coincided with the beginning of the Season of Creation, an annual period of prayer and action to address looming ecological issues, especially the climate crisis.
“We oppose these coal-fired power plants also because they are entirely inconsistent with the care of our Common Home so desperately needed today,” said the priests.
They said that the cancellation of the project “not only prevents massive greenhouse gas emissions but will stand as a decisive rejection of all unsustainable and carbon-intensive practices.”
In recent years, coal use has been declining globally due to its contributions to climate change, destructive environmental impacts, and investment risks.
Climate-vulnerable Philippines, however, has continued to expand its coal fleet.
Source: Licas Philippines
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