Rappler Talk: #ClimateActionPH and Bataan’s battle vs coal

MANILA, Philippines – There is a growing trend across countries to shift from coal to clean energy sources. The Philippines, however, is deviating from this trend, having approved 29 additional coal-fired power plants, which will be operational by 2020. 

Coal is among the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, one of the biggest culprits behind global warming and climate change. (INFOGRAPHIC: The real cost of coal power)

This has sparked protests in communities where coal-fired power plants operate.

In Cebu City, residents of Barangay Sawang Calero stood their ground when they first heard of plans to build a coal-fired thermal power plant in their neighborhood earlier this year. (WATCH: Rappler Talk: #ClimateActionPH and Cebu’s battle vs coal)

Meanwhile, residents of a community in Bataan province are complaining of health problems, including skin and respiratory diseases, that were allegedly caused by the fuel- and coal-fired power plants in the area. They claimed that many of them fell ill following the alleged ash spill near the power facility in Barangay Lamao in Limay town in early January this year. (READ: Bataan community asks Gina Lopez to close SMC coal plant)

MovePH’s Voltaire Tupaz tackles the issue with climate action advocates on Rappler Talk on Tuesday afternoon, February 21.

Joining the discussion from Bataan are Angelyn Bolitres of the Limay Concerned Citizens, Incorporated (LICCI) and Mikhaila Rosales of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ).

You can also participate in the discussion on Twitter via the hashtag #ClimateActionPH. – Rappler.com