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Friday, March 29, 2024

Zambales residents denounce coal plant

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Hundreds of residents in Zambales province are up in arms over AES Corp., the operator of Masinloc coal-fired power plant, after allegedly discovering that a massive land reclamation and destruction of coral reefs were undertaken by the foreign energy company reportedly without permits from concerned government agencies.

Members of Oyon Bay Protector claimed that MCPP had destroyed large areas of coral and marine life in Masinloc Bay when the company started the construction of a $1-billion expansion to double the existing capacity of the 600-megawatt Masinloc power stations. 

Members of the cause-oriented and environmentalist groups said in a letter to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu the energy company reclaimed close to one hectare on the surface of Masinloc protected areas using two dredging barges and earth moving equipments. 

The construction of the additional 300-MW coal plant was started in 2015 is expected to go online in the fourth quarter this year.

“The unauthorized activities massive reclamation activities of MCPP in Masinloc town must be stopped immediately since they violated several provisions of the national integrated protected areas system act of 1992,” said Joey Marabe, OBP Adhoc chairman, said in a letter to Cimatu. 

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