MANILA – A prayer march and a fluvial parade in the ‘coal capital’ of the Philippines – Atimonan, Quezon – commenced in commemoration of the 10th year of community resistance against the Atimonan One Energy (A1E), a 1,200 MW coal project proposed by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), which coincides with the World Environment Day.

The commemorative action, themed Atin Muna, was led by local churches, clean energy groups, and communities across Quezon province, strengthening their opposition against proposed fossil fuel projects.

“Ten years ago, our plea to stop the coal project started through collective prayer. We commemorate that day today through once again joining in prayer and action,” said Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Ma. Villareal, founding member of Quezon for Environment (QUEEN). 

Villareal added, “We in the faith community have always been vocal in our cry to protect our people and the environment, because faith is void when humanity and love for the creation is absent. That is why we will not stop pushing back against this destructive coal project until it is fully shelved.”

Meralco’s stock exchange disclosure on April 23, as reported by BusinessWorld, showed that the project received acknowledgement of non-coverage (ANC) from the Department of Energy (DOE), which could exempt the coal-fired power plant from existing coal moratorium. However, the DOE recalled the exemption on the same day, subject to further review.

Meralco said that the project is “considered critical baseload facilities essential to ensuring the delivery of reliable and affordable electricity to consumers.”

QUEEN and dozens of other local and national organizations and networks wrote to the DOE in May, welcoming its revocation of A1E’s exemption from the 2020 coal moratorium, and called on the Department for a total shelving of the project.

The network underscored in the letter that the withdrawal grants no assurance that the project will not materialize. They highlighted that the communities across Quezon and other parts of the country have long suffered from the impacts of coal and gas, which adversely contributed to the intensifying climate crisis.

“We remind the DOE that any changes in fuel type for A1E’s 1,200 MW Power Plant will require a new environmental impact assessment process,” they stated in the letter.

The network also reminded the DOE of its mandate about advancing clean and affordable renewable energy for the benefits of the Filipino people, particularly stated in the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

“Quezon’s impacted communities and their supporters have spoken: we want a sustainable energy future, not coal or gas. Already, Meralco is facing much controversy for its skyrocketing electricity rates, unreliable services, and anticonsumer contracts,” said Gerry Arances, Convenor of national consumer group Power for People Coalition (P4P).

He added, “Meralco need not add another destructive project to the list of its sins. There is no place for A1E in Quezon.”

In 2020, the Philippines implemented a coal moratorium to halt new coal-fired power plant projects, aiming to reduce emissions and transition to cleaner energy. However, DOE said that it does not mean a “total ban.” 

In fact, in a clarificatory statement, DOE stated that the “policy does not cover existing and operational coal-fired power generation facilities as well as any coal-fired power projects considered committed.” 

If the coal plant pushes through, Quezon will now house four coal plants, which could further subject the province into 20 to 40 years of coal dependence. Meralco, meanwhile, is focusing on developing the 82-M coal power plant in Cebu after the DOE certified its exemption from the coal ban. (RVO)