SUPPORTING the phasing out of coal-fired power plants, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed his support to the “Quit Coal!” campaign of Greenpeace Southeast Asia to reduce global warming caused by greenhouse-gas emissions.

“We are addicted to it, but it’s time to quit. And I support the Quit Coal! campaign of Greenpeace and their bold efforts to inform us of the harm it brings to our health and environment. It is the dirtiest fossil fuel, even emitting 29-percent more greenhouse gas than oil. It should be phased out as fuel for our power plants,” said the lawmaker from Bukidnon.

Zubiri noted that warning signs of global warming and climate change due to greenhouse gas are now evident, such as shorter La Niña and El Niño cycles, shifting of the typhoon belt and extreme weather incidents like super typhoons, among others, which are already happening and acknowledged by scientists.

Zubiri said the above signs wreak havoc on the life and livelihoods of our people, especially in vulnerable areas.

“Rebuilding lost homes and damaged infrastructure, extending medical and emergency treatment for the many stricken ill cost not just money, but misery,” he added.

“These may even be just temporary setbacks compared to the long-term threat to our lives. Just a one-degree- Celsius increase in temperature will mean 15-percent decrease in global rice production. Quit coal! Or reap the wrath of climate change. The technology to attain so-called clean coal is not in the horizon. Thus, the real clean alternative of renewable energy should be our priority,” he added.

Zubiri made the call as Greenpeace blocked coal-laden ships Medi Firenze and Sam John Spirit from unloading their cargo in Pagbilao pier in Quezon, which is intended for the 735-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Pagbilao of TeaM Energy Philippines.

Zubiri added that coal-generated power currently constitutes 26 percent of the country’s installed capacity.  

However, instead of decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels, according to Zubiri, it seems the Department of Energy   is bent on increasing the share of dirty energy sources. “This is unacceptable,” he said.

Zubiri also expressed support to Greenpeace’s call for a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants that also include the expansion of Pagbilao coal- fired power plant, which, in particular, should not push through.

“I will file a resolution in the Senate seeking a halt to the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the country,” said Zubiri, adding that  the resolution will be in tandem with a strong renewable-energy bill that will allow the shifting toward a low-carbon economy, and away from dependence on fossil fuels, particularly coal.  He noted that coal carries huge environmental, health and social costs.

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THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the Department of Agriculture (DA) has decided to forgo construction of a P10-million tilapia fillet processing plant in Cagayan de Oro.

SUPPORTING the phasing out of coal-fired power plants, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed his support to the “Quit Coal!” campaign of Greenpeace Southeast Asia to reduce global warming caused by greenhouse-gas emissions.