Environmentalists in Negros Oriental have intensified their signature campaign to gather 5,000 supporters, mostly students of universities and colleges in Dumaguete City, for their petition for a moratorium on coal-fired power plants.
Trelly Marigza, a consultant for environmental advocate 350.Org, said the series of fora on the campaign against coal power started yesterday at the St. Paul University in Dumaguete.
The speakers were Dumaguete City Councilor Manuel Arbas on legal matters, City Health officer Ma. Sarah Talla on health concerns, Belgian botanist Eric Hanquinet on renewable energy and the use of solar power, and Marigza on environmental issues.
St. Paul was the first to respond to the request of 350.Org for partner schools in the campaign against coal-fired power plants. A second forum will be held tomorrow in the school to accommodate more high school and college students, Marigza said.
Silliman University, Foundation University and the Negros Oriental State University also confirmed their participation in the call for action against coal power, she added.
Each forum will be highlighted by the signing of the petition that will be submitted to national government agencies, like the Department of Energy and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.*JFP
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