Enviro orgs spearhead protest vs. coal plants
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To urge the government to transition into a clean, sustainable, and coal-free province, environmental organizations around Dumaguete City converged March 6 for a silent protest in front of the Provincial Capitol.
The Youth STrike for Climate was also a move in support of Negros Occidental which is under threat by plans for a coal-fired power plant to be developed there by San Miguel Corp.
Maria Jaya Ariola, one of the environmental activists, shared that the strike was a show of support for the future that Negrosanons deserve. “We are standing in solidarity with Bacolod City and San Carlos that we want a clean and sustainable Province, that’s why we are here,” she said.
The strike was also joined by members of the SK Federation of Dumaguete City, Cuernos de Negros Mountaineers Club Inc., and students from Silliman University and Negros Oriental State University.
Meanwhile, Councilor Karissa Maxino announced her intention to submit a Resolution declaring Dumaguete as a coal-free City. “We can also request the province to do the same,” she said.
Also on March 6, Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. declared Negros occidental as sa coal-free Province.
Negros Occidental is touted as the solar capital of Southeast Asia, providing 132.5 megawatts of power since 2016.