DAVAO CITY -- The City Council decided with finality on Monday to supersede Mayor Sara Duterte’s veto on an ordinance allowing a coal-fired power plant operation in the city.
Amid appeals from environmentalists, 21 of the 23 councilors present voted to override Mayor Duterte's veto.
The City Council earlier passed an ordinance allowing the conversion of land in Toril, Davao City, from agriculture to industrial to permit the construction of the power plant.
But Mayor Duterte on Wednesday vetoed the ordinance, citing dangers of the coal energy technology as well as the Constitution as basis of her decision.
In her veto message, Mayor Duterte said she is disturbed with the environmental and health implications resulting from the operations of such project.
“As a mayor of our city, I should be at the forefront of effecting the observance of the right of our people to health and balanced ecology," she said.
Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, vowed, however, to stand firm on his decision to allow the AboitizPower Corporation’s 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant to operate in Binugao, Toril, despite his daughter’s veto on the ordinance.
“I have taken my stand, it is good for Mindanao, it's good for Davao City, it will amount to cheaper energy rates," the older Duterte said.
Councilor Karlo Bello, being the acting presiding officer, did not vote while Councilor Paolo Duterte abstained from voting.
Councilors Leah Librado-Yap was on sick leave; Jackson Reyes was on domestic emergency leave; and Marissa Salvador-Abella was on official business.
Councilor Melchor Quitain, who read the council's motion to override the mayor's veto, admitted there are other alternative sources of energy aside from the AboitizPower Corporation’s proposed 300-megawatt Therma South Energy Project.
"But to say that there are alternative sources of energy is not the same as saying that they are available, and to say that they are available, is not the same as saying that they are available now; and to say that they are available now, is not the same as saying that they are doable and workable here in Davao City, given our city's weather condition and topographical nuances. This is not the same as saying that these alternative sources can supply our energy all hours of the day whatever may be the weather condition at any given time. There are things that are easier said than done," Quitain said.
While the councilors were voting, students and activists from multi-sectoral group Dabawenyos Ayaw sa Coal (No to Coal-Davao) rallied outside the session hall. They expressed their sentiment through placards and signage inside the plenary.
The group described the council’s decision as "reckless abandon on our future to a dirty legacy of coal."
After all councilors casted their votes, all members of the groups against the coal-fired plant, especially the No-to-Coal Davao, mostly youth, walked out from the plenary dismayed.
Dr. Jean Lindo, No-to-Coal convenor, said the councilors only showed to the public that they are for Aboitiz and not for the real interest of the public.
"Ang gusto lang nila kay puro development ug kwarta lang (They are only after development and money)," Lindo said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
