Roy Cimatu
Secretary
Department of Environment & Natural Resources

Dear Secretary Cimatu,

As the new DENR Secretary, you have become more aware of the importance of Palawan, the Philippine’s last ecological frontier.

Palawan’s natural and pristine beauty, the top reason why many travellers ranked it for the third time as the “Best Island in the World”, is still being threatened by the construction of DMCI’s 15 MW coal-fired power plant in Barangay San Isidro, Municipality of Narra, Palawan.

In early 2016, former DENR Secretary Ramon C. Paje made a press statement during a national environmental summit that the DENR will not issue an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for DMCI’s coal-fired power plant in recognition of Palawan’s biodiversity and fragile environment.

Until May, 2017, we have successfully stopped the coal power project because Regina Lopez, your predecessor, declared that she would not approve DMCI’s coal plant project. We appeal that you take the same stance as your two predecessors.

For the fourth, and hopefully last time, we renew our opposition to the coal plant in light of the availability of renewable, cheaper and cleaner energy sources that are abundant in Palawan. The best decision for Palawan is renewable energy, not coal. Palawan’s comprehensive energy development plan highly recommends run-of-the-river hydro, not coal.

DENR should turn down DMCI’s ECC application for its coal plant project that will harm Palawan’s precious ecosystem as well as the health of its people.

Please deny the issuance of an ECC to DMCI for its coal power project in Palawan because it is the right thing to do.

Sincerely,