Subic Coal Plant Proponents explains project to Olongapo leaders

RP Energy showed up in the Olongapo City Department Head's meeting yesterday to shed light on the proposed coal-fired power plant project. City Councilors and Barangay Captains are also present in the meeting.

Mayor Gordon showed slides of the beautiful Olongapo, a video of Pres. Clinton asserting the preservation of Subic's prestine environment, and made it very clear to the presentors that Olongapo City opposes the coal plant project in Subic Bay.

Nonetheless, RP Energy was allowed time to explain, for the city's leaders to have the chance to ask questions and let the project proponents hear the oppositor's concerns.

City Administrator Ferdie Magrata, Dr. Art Mendoza, Councilor Perez, Ed Piano and more than a dozen more residents were able to say their piece and ask questions.

Magrata asked if its true that RP Energy had already started the construction and if indeed this truly is a "done deal" as national government officials are saying... to which RP Energy officials replied in the positive. "By law, the concurence of Olongapo City is not required, but we are here because we also wanted your support and we are mandated to inform the people of the on-going project."

Most noteworthy in yesterday's presentation is the revelation that Zambales Gov. Ebdane, Subic Mayor Khonghun, the Captain of Cawag, DENR, PENRO, CENRO, EMB, the Provincial Fisheries Council have already signed a Memorandum of Agreement as members of the monitoring team with SBMA and RP Energy pertaining to the coal plant project.