By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Bohol Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado has strongly opposed the reported plan to establish coal power plants in Bohol, citing its negative impacts on the environment and health of the people.
Bohol Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology said such a plan prodded him to breathe life into his measure seeking to prohibit the exploration of coal and the installation of any coal power plant in the second legislative district of Bohol.
“Of all energy resources, coal is one of the most injurous to the environment and health. Further, coal by-products cause a lot of pollution which contributes to global warming and climate change,” he said.
He batted for the passage of House Bill 3710 seeking to prohibit the exploration of coal and the installation of any coal power plant in the second legislative district of Bohol, where the famous Chocolate Hills and the Danao Adventure Park are located.
The famous Chocolate Hills are situated in the municipality of Sagbayan, while the Danao Adventure Park is in the municipality of Danao.
The second legislative district of Bohol comprises the municipalities of Bien Unido, Buenavista, Clarin, Dagohoy, Danao, Getafe, Inabanga, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, San Isidro, San Miguel, Talibon, Sagbayan, Trinidad and Ubay.
“At present, all local government units in the second legislative district are taking concrete actions to make it the first “Green District” in the province by promoting the use of renewable and efficient energy and by implementing measures for sustainable development,” Aumentado cited.
House Bill 3710 seeks to prohibit any person, natural or juridical, to explore coal or install any coal power plant in all municipalities of the second legislative district of Bohol.
"This measure is a move towards the attainment by Bohol province of its vision to be a prime eco-cultural tourism destination and a strong, balanced agro-industrial province, with a well-educated, God-loving and law-abiding citizenry, proud of their cultural heritage, enjoying a state of well-being and committed to sound environmental management, " Aumentado said.
Violators of the proposed Act shall suffer the penalty of one to six-year imprisonment and a fine amounting from P500,000 to P3 million.