In Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, where two coal-fired power plants dominate the skyline, residents live with health concerns they’ve grown accustomed to. Many accept the trade-off, valuing the jobs and outreach programs the power companies provide. But for Ma. Teresa “Baby” Calion, the only solution is to leave town. Calion moved to Brgy. Kirahon in 2021, hoping her ailing father, who has asthma, would recover in the fresh air. Instead, his health worsened, and she now suspects the power plants and factories in Macajalar Bay are to blame. From her farmhouse, she sees the towering stacks of Mindanao’s first coal-fired power plant, STEAG Mindanao Coal, and the island’s largest, FDC Misamis Power. Both are part of the PHIVIDEC industrial estate, which also hosts steel operations and manufacturing facilities. Calion noticed black soot covering her farmhouse and echoed concerns from other residents about nighttime emissions. While some accept the risks for the economic benefits, Calion feels unsafe and plans to leave.
Residents like Brgy. Tambubong village chief Regene Ello recall increased illnesses, particularly respiratory issues, after the STEAG plant began operations in 2006. Rain often leaves black soot, presumed to be coal residue. Despite these concerns, many residents prioritize the jobs and programs the plants provide. SPI State Power Inc., operator of STEAG Mindanao Coal, maintains it complies with environmental regulations and has received no health-related complaints from residents.
Coal’s impact on air quality and public health is well-documented. A 2019 study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air linked STEAG Mindanao Coal and FDC Misamis Power to premature deaths and increased asthma cases in Misamis Oriental. Nationwide, coal-related pollution costs the public P8.5 billion annually in health expenses and lost productivity. The World Health Organization highlights the benefits of phasing out coal, citing reduced air pollution and significant health gains.
STEAG Mindanao Coal, built in 2006, is now a candidate for early retirement under an Asian Development Bank initiative to transition to clean energy. However, delays due to Mindanao’s power supply concerns have stalled progress. Climate activists oppose the delay, arguing for a faster shift to renewables.
Despite the health risks, many residents, like Johaira Chiu and Michelle Obasa Brioso, credit the plants for ending power shortages, providing jobs, and supporting local communities. Chiu takes Vitamin C to protect herself from emissions but acknowledges the benefits the plants bring, including helping her son secure a job internationally. Brioso, who aspired to work at the coal plant, fears its closure would harm the community.
Local environmentalist Ernesto Fajardo Jr. advocates for renewable energy alternatives, noting the visible impacts of climate change in Villanueva, including receding coastlines and declining fish catches. Typhoons like Sendong, Pablo, Vinta, and Odette have caused devastating floods, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to climate change. Fajardo believes educating communities about these risks is crucial for informed decision-making.
While the coal plants have driven economic growth and development in Mindanao, their environmental and health costs raise urgent questions about the region’s energy future. Balancing economic benefits with public health and environmental sustainability remains a critical challenge for Villanueva and the Philippines as a whole. — PCIJ.org
