Mayor Concurs To End Coal Ash Contract

City of Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong on Friday said the termination of the contract between Kepco-Salcon Power Corp. on coal ash dumping will no longer have a bearing, as the power company has reportedly found ways to dispose of its coal waste.

“Supposedly wala naman na’y bearing because the coal ash problem of Kepco has been taken care of. It goes (to) Apo Cement and Geo Transport,” said Chiong.

The mayor said they are also happy that the company was able to find another way to dispose of its coal ash to these two private firms.

Kepco-SPC has a 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Chiong’s city.

And besides, Chiong said “it’s about time sad gyud nga mahuman kay di man gyud magamit ang Balili property.”

In 2009, the province, through former Gov. Gwen Garcia entered into a contract with Kepco allowing it to dump its tons of coal ash to the controversial Balili property in Barangay Tinaan. The contract was, however, not implemented after it was found out that the 25-hectare property that the province bought for P98.9 million was submerged in water, meaning it was a public domain.

During its regular session last Monday, the Provincial Board authorized Governor Hilario Davide III to terminate that contract with Kepco.

Image Credit: climate-news.com