Powering the Future Without Destroying It
Palawan is celebrated as the last ecological frontier of the Philippines, yet it remains threatened by proposals that undermine this title—most notably, the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Barangay Bato-Bato, Narra. This project has ignited strong opposition from local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and environmental advocates who know: there is no place for coal in a climate-vulnerable province like Palawan.
The Problem with Coal
Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, and environmental degradation. If approved, the proposed coal plant in Narra would:
- Emit pollutants that harm air quality and public health
- Generate toxic coal ash, often poorly managed and dumped near communities
- Risk coastal and agricultural ecosystems, which are vital to Palawan’s food security
- Undermine Palawan’s status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Even more concerning, several affected barangays have reported that no Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) was secured from Indigenous communities, and many residents were not consulted prior to project endorsements.
Why Clean Energy is the Way Forward
Palawan doesn’t lack power—it lacks sustainable, inclusive energy planning. The province is rich in renewable resources that can power homes, schools, and businesses without harming people or nature.
Clean Energy Alternatives:
✅ Solar Power – Abundant year-round sun makes Palawan ideal for solar microgrids, especially in off-grid rural areas
✅ Micro-Hydro – Small-scale hydro installations can supply consistent power without large dams
✅ Biomass and Biogas – Agricultural and organic waste can be harnessed into community-owned energy systems
✅ Wind Energy – Viable in coastal areas and along ridges with sustained wind speeds
Clean energy offers not just electricity—it offers energy sovereignty, local jobs, reduced environmental risk, and a real pathway toward resilient development.
The Just Transition We Need
The transition to clean energy must also be just and community-driven. This means:
- Ensuring affordable and accessible energy for all, including remote and Indigenous communities
- Prioritizing local ownership of renewable systems
- Supporting workers and industries to shift away from fossil fuel dependency
- Strengthening governance through transparent planning and genuine public participation
ELAC’s Advocacy
The Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) stands with Palawan communities resisting coal and demanding clean, renewable energy solutions. We have:
- Conducted ground working and consultations in affected barangays
- Supported local leaders and youth in conducting Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns
- Documented coal ash misuse and violations of environmental due process
- Called for accountability from agencies and corporations pushing coal without community consent
What You Can Do
🔋 Support the shift to clean energy by:
- Signing petitions like Save Palawan’s Forests
- Demanding real consultation and clean energy alternatives from your LGUs
- Choosing solar-powered solutions in your own homes and businesses
- Following and sharing ELAC’s advocacy to raise awareness
A Greener, Fairer Palawan is Possible
Palawan deserves a future that is powered without pollution, governed with accountability, and shared with justice. Let’s leave behind outdated, destructive solutions like coal—and embrace the clean, renewable energy future that Palawan is ready for.
📩 Get involved: elacpalawan@gmail.com
🌱 #NoToCoal #CleanEnergyNow #JustTransition #SavePalawan #ELAC