Residents of Quezon province and environmental advocates protested on Thursday against the Department of Energy’s (DOE) approval of a 1,200-megawatt coal plant in Atimonan. 

They called the project a “death sentence” for communities already suffering from climate disasters.

The protest was held outside the DOE office in Taguig. It came after Energy Secretary Sharon Garin gave the green light to Meralco PowerGen’s (MGen) Atimonan One Energy (A1E) coal project.

“For ten years, we have been fighting to stop this facility,” said Rev. Fr. Warren Puno, convenor of Quezon for Environment (QUEEN) and regional coordinator of the South Luzon Eco-Convergence Hub of Caritas Philippines. 

“The affected communities are united in their stand: no matter how many times the Atimonan coal plant is approved, we will block it because it is nothing but poison to our air, water, and climate,” the priest added. 

Quezon has faced a series of destructive storms. In May 2024, Typhoon Aghon triggered record floods that displaced thousands and destroyed crops. 

Five months later, Typhoon Kristine submerged entire towns and forced local governments to declare a state of calamity.

Environmental groups also warned of health risks from coal emissions. A 2024 study by the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) found that Atimonan and Pagbilao in Quezon, as well as Maasim in Sarangani, exceeded national and international air quality standards.

Fisherfolk leaders said the project would worsen their situation. “We have already suffered from policies that oppress small fisherfolk,” said Ramon Grimaldo, a veteran fisherfolk leader in Atimonan. 

Grimalso called on the authorities to protect the bodies of water in Atimonan “from this dirty plant,” adding, “It will never be right to poison our seas for electricity that we will never benefit from.”

QUEEN vowed to continue resisting the project and urged local officials to invest in clean and renewable energy instead of coal.