Philippines Palawan May Lose UNESCO Status Due to Planned Coal Power Plant Slug: Philippines-Power Plant Reporters:

Jofelle Tesorio and Ariel Carlos Date: 07 November 2013 INTRO Palawan has long been seen as the Philippines last ecological frontier. But according to the WWF, the area is in danger of losing its UNESCO heritage status following the approval of a coal power plant by the provincial council. As Jofelle Tesorio reports, environmentalists and the majority of residents are against the project. TEXT SFX 1 SOUND FROM A VIDEO FOOTAGE More than 1,000 people are watching a video about the hazards of having a coal power plant in your backyard. The video was shown during a protest in the main park in the capital of Palawan. Marlene Jagmis is leading the protest. MARLENE CLIP 1 (Female, Tagalog): We are strongly opposed to this proposed coal-fired power plant We are calling our fellow citizens to oppose it because there are other sustainable alternatives SFX 2 MAN SPEAKING AT RALLY (Male, Tagalog) As one of the protesters explains, its not just about environmental protection... but also the future of the province. SFX 2 UP The proposed power plant in Palawan is a project of the newly-elected governor Jose Alvarez. Its set to be built in Aborlan, a small sleepy town of about 25 thousand people. The power plant will generate 15 megawatts of energy that supporters say will power up to 18 towns. The Governors spokesperson, Gil Acosta, explains why the government wants it built.

GIL CLIP 1 (Male, Tagalog): He believes that Palawan has been left behind by other provinces, even though its the biggest in the region. Power plays a big role in development. Those who want to invest in Palawan first ask whether there is a stable power supply. The power plant was rejected by another town, but the Aborlans council approved it. Protestors accuse the governor of applying heavy pressure on the local government and the environmental council, in order to push through the project. The government denies the allegation. GIL CLIP 2 (Male, Tagalog): It is not true. In fact, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, had already approved the project, before he became governor and chairman of the council. It was months before the election. The entire Palawan province holds the status of UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve. Its also home to two UNESCO natural heritage sites. But WWF Philippines says Palawan may lose its status if the proposed coal power plant goes ahead. RJ Dela Calzada is the Palawan project manager for the WWF Philippines. RJ DELA CLIP 1 (Male, English): Man and Biosphere status is like a Nobel Prize for good sustainable development management in one area. Palawan is one of the two recipients in the Philippines. When we say man and biosphere, were talking about how human beings consciously use its biosphere for its own benefit... If we fail to meet that criteria then we might be delisted. Having a coal power plant may be a reason to be delisted. The proposed site for the coal plant is near a fish sanctuary. And fishing is a major source of livelihood in the area. The waste water discharge from the coal plant is deemed hazardous to the marine ecosystem. Environmentalists, like RJ Dela Calzada from the WWF, say alternative sources of energy should be explored instead. RJ DELA CLIP 2 (Male, English): How much megawatt do you need in Palawan? There are new technologies in terms of solar that it can provide electricity even without sun for seven days. The company that will build the power plant in Aborlan says that theyre open to the idea of mixing coal and biomass in a few years time.

Theyre also studying the possibility of using renewable energy for their next projects. The governments spokesperson Gil Acosta adds that renewable energy is already on the agenda. GIL CLIP 3 (Male, Tagalog): We have been discussing new and renewable resources for 10 years but they werent taken up until this coal plant proposal came along. The most viable proposal for the governor is to use coal and biomass fuels. Were looking at hydro and wind power, but they wont be enough But residents like Marlene Jagmis dont want to take the risk... MARLENE CLIP 2 (Female, Tagalog): The coal plant poses many hazards like the threat of lung disease or damage to the brain, especially in children. Burned coal can produce chemicals like mercury, which cant easily be dissolved by so called new technology. This particle can be hazardous to humans, and even babies inside the womb are not spared. The UN body is currently reassessing Palawans heritage status, in light of the plans for a new coal plant in the province. With Ariel Carlos from Palawan, Philippines, this is Jofelle Tesorio for Asia Calling.