BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he has yet to receive any notice regarding the cancellation of the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant project in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, except from media reports and information from other sectors.
According to Lacson, if it was indeed cancelled, it could be a “business decision” just like what happened when the proposed coal-fired power plant was also cancelled.
“I think it is incumbent upon them to make official that they also put on hold a plan to put up an LNG plant in San Carlos City,” the governor pointed out.
When asked if the project was stopped due to strong opposition from environmentalists and the Diocese of San Carlos, Lacson replied it’s still a business decision.
The proposed project – a 4×75-megawatt (MW) LNG combined cycle power plant –will be constructed inside the 49-hectare property leased from Grand Planters International Inc.
The construction will possibly start in the third quarter of 2023, with completion eyed for the third quarter of 2024.
Reports earlier surfaced that San Miguel Corp. decided to no longer pursue its Environmental Compliance Certificate application for the proposed project, which environmentalists claim to be their victory./PN
