Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Sunday, July 24, that he has asked provincial legal officer Alberto Nellas Jr. to study the call of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza and environment groups for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to revoke its Resolution of Non-Objection (RONO) to the planned construction of a 300 MW Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Combined Cycle Power Plant in San Carlos City.
Asked if the provincial government can stop the proposed LNG plant in San Carlos , Lacson said “Capitol will always act accordingly”.
The governor said he is open to investments.
The building of the LNG power plant is being proposed by the San Miguel Corp.-owned Reliance Energy Development Inc.
“We maintain that the resolution of non-objection from the Provincial Board is premature, invalid, and is not representative of the multiple stakeholders from San Carlos who openly objected against the LNG project during the public scoping,” Alminaza said in his objection to the RONO.
Alminaza said that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project is “still under preparation” by the proponent, and that DILG MC 22-018 states that LGUs cannot issue a Letter of No Objection without an EIA, therefore deeming the non-objection invalid.
“We appeal to board members of the SP to adhere to their duty in protecting the interests of our people and the health of our environment,” Alminaza said.*