by Nimfa L. Estrellado Members of the Quezon provincial board hold a joint committee hearing on energy and environment, tackling a proposed ...
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| Members of the Quezon provincial board hold a joint committee hearing on energy and environment, tackling a proposed measure to regulate coal-fired power plant operations and address health and environmental risks. (Quezon PIO) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Arguments in Quezon are converging on whether coal-fired power plants should be allowed again. Department of Energy is reviewing a possible change in policy that could lift its moratorium on new coal development.
In Quezon, environmental groups and church leaders raised concerns that the possible shift could deepen reliance on imported fuels and increase risks to host communities. They said the move may also conflict with local efforts to tighten oversight of coal operations.
The agency signaled it may revisit the policy amid volatile fuel prices as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt oil supply and add pressure on energy planning. The review comes as the country weighs how to secure stable power while managing rising costs.
Fr. Warren Puno, convenor of Quezon for Environment, said returning to coal does not resolve long-term energy security concerns. He said dependence on imported coal leaves the country exposed to price swings and supply disruptions.
“Hindi nito tinutugunan ang tunay na problema sa seguridad ng enerhiya dahil umaasa pa rin ito sa inaangkat na fuel. Sa halip, nadaragdagan lamang ang gastos at panganib sa kalusugan at kapaligiran,” Puno said.
Beyond immediate concerns, Puno pointed to the broader direction of national energy policy amid global uncertainty. He said long-term solutions should focus on sustainable and locally available energy sources.
“Kung ang problema ay global na krisis sa enerhiya, hindi makatuwiran na bumalik sa isa pang maruming pinagkukunan ng kuryente. Dapat ituon ang pansin sa malinis at lokal na enerhiya na mas abot-kaya at mas matatag sa pangmatagalan,” Puno added.
Quezon hosts several coal-fired plants, including facilities in Mauban and Pagbilao, along with a proposed large-scale project in Atimonan. These developments keep the province central to discussions on balancing energy demand with environmental protection.
Against this backdrop, a joint meeting of the provincial board’s energy and environment committees was held April 22 at the Capitol in Lucena City to review a proposed ordinance. The measure seeks to regulate existing coal-fired power plants and adopt the moratorium issued by the DOE in December 2020.
The meeting focused on public health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases linked to coal plant operations. It also examined environmental impacts such as air and water pollution and coal’s role in climate change.
The ordinance emphasizes protecting natural resources while maintaining a stable and sustainable electricity supply. It frames regulation as part of a broader response to energy challenges facing local communities.
Meanwhile, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said the agency is studying the policy in light of rising fuel costs and unstable global supply. She said any move would require cleaner technologies and alignment with the transition to renewable energy.
“Patuloy naming pinag-aaralan ang lahat ng opsyon upang matiyak ang sapat at maaasahang suplay ng kuryente sa gitna ng tumataas na gastos sa enerhiya. Kabilang dito ang paggamit ng mas malinis na teknolohiya at ang unti-unting paglipat sa renewable energy,” Garin said.
The DOE said the 2020 moratorium aimed to encourage investment in cleaner energy sources while allowing committed projects to proceed. It also noted coal’s role in providing a steady supply of electricity to the grid.
“May mahalagang papel pa rin ang coal sa pagpapanatili ng tuloy-tuloy na suplay ng kuryente lalo na kapag hindi sapat ang produksyon mula sa renewable sources. Kailangan tiyakin na hindi maaapektuhan ang katatagan ng suplay habang isinusulong ang paglipat sa mas malinis na enerhiya,” the DOE said.
At the same time, renewable energy projects are gaining ground in Quezon to diversify power sources. Representatives from the Board of Investments and Atimonan Windkraft Corporation met with the provincial government of Quezon to present the Quezon Wind Power Project.
The planned facility includes 13 turbines with a total capacity of 100 megawatts and remains under development. In Alabat Island, two of eight turbines for what is described as the country’s largest onshore wind project have already been installed.
Taken together, these developments point to growing interest in renewable energy as an alternative to fossil fuels in the province. They also show efforts to reduce dependence on coal while expanding cleaner energy sources.
The provincial government of Quezon called for cooperation across sectors in addressing energy and environmental concerns. It emphasized balancing development goals with protecting public health and the environment.
Jay Lim of Tanggol Kalikasan said expanding coal capacity could pose long-term financial risks to the country’s energy sector and economy. He said it could also lead to environmental harm, including increased pollution and effects on public health and natural surroundings.
“With the global cost of renewable energy rapidly declining, building new coal plants locks the country into high-carbon systems that risk becoming outdated before they are fully paid off,” Lim said.
Lim raised concerns about the financial burden such projects may place on the public. He said the costs could extend beyond energy generation and affect taxpayers directly.
“We are effectively subsidizing dirty coal at the expense of taxpayers, who will ultimately shoulder the costs of stranded assets and rising health expenditures,” he added.
As the review moves forward, debate over the country’s energy direction is expected to continue as policymakers weigh competing demands for affordability, reliability, and sustainability. In Quezon, where coal and renewable projects intersect, the outcome could shape how power is produced and experienced in the years ahead.
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