A GROUNDSWELL of opposition against Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants across the country has begun, with climate justice advocacy groups taking the fight to the doorstep of the government offices involved, filing opposition letters, and petitions.

“We are already reeling from the effects of dirty and costly coal-fired power plants which constitute more than 50 percent of the electricity supply in Mindanao,” said Rara Ada, area coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice

While Mindanao, at present, has no operating LNG plants, there are at present two projects in the pipeline, to be located at Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, and Sangali, Zamboanga City.

NO TO LNG. Members of Anak ng mga Riverwatch in Davao City participate in a protest action held simultaneously across the country. File photo courtesy of Power for the People Coalition

The application of the San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation for the 300 MW Sangali LNG Power Plant is slated to be the first LNG power plant to operate in Mindanao, which has traditionally sourced its energy from coal-fired power plants.

“We call on the government to halt the approval of fossil-fuel-run generation plants and instead promote renewable energy sources,” she added.

These demands have started to gain traction from communities in Sangali, Zamboanga City as well as other non-profit organizations such as the Gitib, Inc., Palag Mindanao, Oriang Women’s Movement – Mindanao Chapter, and the Freedom from Debt Coalition who have all asserted that gas-fired power should not be allowed in Mindanao.

“LNG is not a cleaner option for coal-fired power plants,” Ada said.