Coal-fired power plant inevitable in Palawan— Rep. Umali

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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — The impending construction of a coal-fired power plant in Palawan seems to be just waiting for the final green light, according to Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chair of the House Committee on Energy.

“If that’s what comes to us, I think there’s nothing we can do. We have no choice since we are lagging behind,” Umali said in a press conference here over the weekend.

Umali was with Palawan Governor Jose C. Alvarez and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao when the latter visited Puerto Princesa City for a promotional tour.

Umali likewise explained that what’s more important is for the community to be energized. “But whether it is renewable or not, I believe that Gov. Alvarez has a lot of programs being prepared like hydro and solar powers,” he explained.

“When the time comes that the power situation normalizes here in Palawan, then we can choose the best option,” he added.

”But for now, we have to understand that while coal is really not that clean, it is more dangerous if we do not have electricity in our households,” Umali said.

In their visits earlier this year, President Benigno Aquino III and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla have also expressed favor for the construction of a coal fired power plant to address the energy problems beleaguering the province of Palawan.