Non-government organizations in Atimonan town, Quezon province expressed their gratitude to the Energy Regulatory Commission after the regulator committed to act on the power supply agreement between Atimonan One Energy Inc. and Manila Electric Co. within a span of three months.
The PSA is currently pending for ERC approval, after which Atimonan One Energy can begin its construction of a 1,200-megawatt ultra super-critical coal-fired power plant in Barangay Villa Ibaba.
Various NGOs went to ERC and Batasang Pambansa, together with the local government and community of Atimonan on July 4 to express support for the project.
Among the groups that joined this cause were Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Balubad, Lubi, Talaba at Kilait, Barangay Tanod Federation, OFW Federation, Carinay Homeowners Association, Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina, Livelihood Program of Atimonan Tricycle Association Inc. and Farmers Federation.
Greg De Gracia, chairman of SMM BALTAK, who spoke on behalf of the Atimonan group, said they were happy at the result of their visit to both ERC and their participation at the congressional hearing.
“We are pleased by what the ERC commissioners had to say, as they promised to act on the PSA for the power plant within the next three months,” said De Gracia.
“We want to start this project as soon as possible because we believe that a power plant will speed up the development of Atimonan, and greatly help in uplifting the lives of Atimonanins,” he said.