Atimonan Mayor Rustico Joven Mendoza assured residents that there is no ongoing construction yet of the 1,200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the town.
“There are no ongoing construction activities contrary to what the groups say. Atimonan One Energy is still waiting for the PSA (power supply agreement) approval,” said Mendoza.
Atimonan One Energy, owned by Meralco PowerGen Corp., has a power supply agreement pending approval with Manila Electric Co. with the Energy Regulatory Commission.
“Atimonan One Energy regularly updates us about the status of the project,” he said.
Residents of Atimonan, Quezon also expressed support to the planned 1,200 MW-project, according to Mendoza, despite protests from certain groups.
There were also claims that no public consultations were made about the coal-fired power project, but the allegations were countered Greg de Gracia, a fisherman and chairman of the Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Balubad, Lubi, Talaba at Kilait.
“I attended all public consultations together with my fellow fisherman and fellow Atimonanins,” said de Gracia.