“We, the 92-KM Coal Resistance Marchers representing 38 local and national organizations working in various sectors and communities from Misamis Occidental-Ozamis City, Lanao del Norte, Iligan City, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Cotabato City and Caraga Region declare:
The Island of Mindanao, according to Mindanao Power Monitoring Council, generates more than enough electricity needed by the consumers, thus additional coal-fired power plants in Iligan City, Ozamis City and Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte are not necessary. Mindanao is home to Agus-Pulanggi Hydro Power Complexes which have a combined generating capacity of more than 900 MW;
The series of blackouts in the island is an orchestrated move to facilitate the interest of the investors who want to profit in power generation and distribution tapping coal as the main energy resource;
In Mindanao, eleven coal plants are expected to break ground within five years from now until 2020. This will dwarf the renewable energy share in the power mix, thus, undermining the current community and private sector efforts to veer away from fossil fuel dependence. The Philippines has more than 200,000 MW of untapped renewable energy potential;
The operation of coal plants will pollute Iligan and Panguil Bays given the inherent presence of toxic elements in coal. This will displace significant numbers of fisherfolk whose livelihood largely depend on fishing;
The host communities and those communities within the overlapping 35 to 50-kilometer radius according to the air dispersal modeling of the coal power plants will also suffer the adverse effects of air pollution;
The lack of social acceptability defines the process by which coal plants are introduced into host communities. Our national experience would show the absence of informed consent and participation of these communities in the construction of coal projects yet they suffer the worst effects of coal plant operations;
Far from involving communities, leaders are being harassed or intimidated into submission as in the case of Libertad Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte where community leaders have been dealt with threat, slapped with suits, and displaced without proper compensation and relocation;
Since the industrial period, the world has seen the historical rise of carbon dioxide emission and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which are responsible for heating the earth and altering the natural climate pattern favorable for the survival of all species on earth. This has spawned slow onset impacts as well as cataclysmic typhoons and cyclones;
Recently, Mindanao has become one of the most affected areas of typhoons and other natural calamities that displaced millions of peoples, destroyed countless lives and properties;
The establishment of more coal-fired power plants in Mindanao and throughout the country will not only increase the emission of carbon dioxide in the global scale but will also heighten the vulnerability of its communities in the face of climate change. To date there are 17 existing coal plants and 29 more loom over the horizon with the Government’s continued reliance on coal;
We are alarmed by the danger this coal industry has caused and will cause on humanity and the survival of the only planet we live in: Earth;
We join and support the call for a coal-free Philippines. We join and support the call for renewable energy as an alternative to fossil fuel burning.”
NO TO COAL PLANTS! YES TO RENEWABLE ENERGY!
Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
25 July 2015
Coal Resistance Movement (CoRe)
Kilusang Maralita sa Kanayunan (Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Cotabato ug Maguindanao Clusters)
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ)
Demokratikong Kilusang magbubukid ng Pilipinas- Lanao- Lala, LDN
Freedom from Debt Coalition- Western Mindanao
Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement – Lanao- Iligan-Misamis Oriental and Occidental Cluster
Lanao Fisheries Advocacy Network – Lanao
Gitib, Inc. – Ozamis City
Lapayan Power Movement Organization- Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte
Our Rivers, Our Life PhDilippines (OROL PH)
Liga ng Makabagong Kabataan -Iligan, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur
Youth for Climate Justice – Misamis Occidental
Nagkahiusang Mag-Uumang Organiko- Agusan del Sur
Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Kolambugan- Kolambugan, LDN
Nagkahiusang Mangingisda sa Karumatan- SND, Lanao del Norte
Teduray-Lambangian Youth and Student Association – Maguindanao
PiekSalabukan Mieggulipit nga’K Subanen Gatawg Ginsalugan (PIEMSUGG) – Misamis Occidental
BANWA TINABURAN – Mis. Occ.
Tri-People Organization against Disaster- Cotabato City
Mindanao Tri-People Women Forum- Cotabato City
Power Alternative Agenda in Mindanao (PALAG Mindanao)
Sanlakas- Mis Occ.
Muntay Active Youth Leaders Association- Kolambugan, LDN
MasterPeace – Agusan del Sur
Filipino Katoliko Youth Association- Sibagat, Agusan del Sur
Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan (AKMK)
Ranao Women and Children Resource Center – Iligan City
Lanao Aquatic Marine and Fisheries Center for Community Development – LDN
Ranao Disasters Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center- Iligan
Youth Organization of Christian an Muslim – Maigo, LDN
Liangan West Farmers Association- Maigo, LDN
Titunod Farmers and Tillers Association – Kolambugan, LDN
Kaagapay OFW Resource and Service Center – Cotabato
Tri-People Youth for Change- Cotabato
Bantay Dagat Organization- Kolambugan, LDN
Sumpay-Mindanao, Inc.- Iligan
Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uumang Muslim ug Kristiyano- SND, LN
Mindanao Tri-People Youth Center- Iligan
Bukluran ng mga Kababaihan sa Kapatagan- Kapatagan, LDN
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