DUMAGUETE CITY -- Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo vowed to continue

his opposition to coal-fired power plants even with the possibility of Negros Island
becoming a federated region.

Degamo said this in an interview on Tuesday, November 6, a day after he and

several other local government officials/units and private groups and individuals
were cited by the Climate Reality Project Philippines (Climate Reality PH) for their
advocacies and campaigns against climate change.

“For as long as we are part of the federal form of government, I will continue to
oppose coal-fired power plants in our region,” he said.

The governor was reacting to reports of the potential entry of a coal-fired power
plant in neighboring Negros Occidental, although officials there are saying that they
are also considering banning this type of non-renewable energy source.

Previous media reports had said that San Miguel Corporation was eyeing the
possibility of putting up a coal-fired power plant in San Carlos, Negros Occidental.

Wilfred Ramon Peñalosa, head of the Provincial Environment Management Office

(Pemo) of Negros Occidental, in an interview shortly before the awarding rites
Monday, pointed out that their governor, Alfredo Marañon, had already made a stand
two years ago for a “green energy development program” for Negros.

“Syempre may nag a-apply pero alam nila ang stand ng probinsya natin (certainly,
there are applicants, but they know our province’s stand). Wala namang pumipigil sa
kanila na mag-apply (nobody is preventing them from applying),” Peñalosa said.

Degamo said he hopes there will be no conflict with Negros Occidental on coal-fired
power plants, especially if the proposed federal form of government will be realized
and Negros Island will become one federated state.

“Masama sa environment talaga ang coal (coal is really bad for the environment) and
for as long as I am a member of that regionalized form of government, I will
continue to oppose any construction of coal-fired power plants,” he reassured.

The Negros Oriental governor signed Executive Order No. 9 last March 28, ordering
all offices and local government instrumentalities in the province not to issue
permits, authorize, endorse, or express support to coal-fired power plants.