The Occidental Mindoro Provincial Board, presided by Vice Governor Peter Alfaro, passed an ordinance banning coal-fired power plants in a bid to preserve and protect the environment.
In a statement issued by the provincial government, the board said that they were choosing clean air and growth instead of “suffering in the near future.”
“Of all energy resources, coal is one of the most injurious to the environment and health. Further, coal by products cause a lot of pollution, which contributes to global warming and climate change. The world powered by natural gas would be healthier than a world powered by coal, but healthier still would be a world powered by renewables. The development of cleaner fuels requires taking serious measures to reduce the severity of its urban air quality issues and considerations on the importance of transitioning to renewable sources of energy,” Alfaro was quoted as saying in an Inquirer report.
Under the proposed ordinance, the provincial government would ban the installation of any coal-power plant in Occidental Mindoro and would also regulate fossil fuels.
A council, comprised of mayors and businessmen in the province and representatives from industrial sectors and government agencies, will also formulate measures encouraging a renewable energy program.
Apart from Occidental Mindoro, provinces such as Guimaras, Masbate, Ilocos Norte, Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Sorsogon have also taken the initiative to ban coal-powered energy projects.
“The Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro shall continue to pursue clean and renewable energy projects; promote renewable energy programs in the province for the sustainable protection of wildlife and biodiversity where the island harbors one of the world’s unique assemblages of endemic and threatened species of fauna; and to protect children and other vulnerable subpopulations from exposure to certain environmental pollutants,” the provincial government expressed.
