Quezon community, RE backers claim ‘victory’ against LNG

RESIDENTS of Pagbilao, Quezon, welcomed the announcement of Australia-based Energy World Corp. (EWC) on the sale of heavy-duty fossil gas turbines to a US-based company, claiming that it is a victory against liquefied natural gas (LNG).

- By JONATHAN L. MAYUGA

The gas turbines were originally intended for EWC’s proposed 650 megawatt (MW) gas-fired combined cycle power plant in the town.

“These victories are important to us, affected communities. [...] It takes years to get any response from the government when we complain about the illness of our children due to the Therma Energy power plant. Sometimes, we are discouraged. That is normal. What can small townspeople do against giant companies and multinational corporations? But these victories are proof that every action against destructive projects and the oppressive rich and politicians who push them is meaningful. I congratulate all of my comrades in the province of Quezon for this victory,” Domingo Moreno, a leader of Tagapagtanggol ng Kalikasan sa Pagbilao, said in a statement.