San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has been called out by environmental and climate justice groups for profiting from projects allegedly responsible for displacing communities, degrading ecosystems, and endangering public health, even as the conglomerate reports billions in revenues from coal energy.

In a statement issued this week, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) criticized SMC for prioritizing profit over people’s lives. “It is profit over death and destruction of communities hosting these plants and with no solution in sight,” the group said, referring to SMC’s four coal-fired power plants, which have a combined capacity of 2,923 megawatts.

San Miguel Power (SGP) reportedly posted a revenue increase of PhP 205.1 billion in 2024, credited to a 45% rise in offtake volume, reaching 36.3 million megawatt-hours. This translated to a net income of PhP 36.7 billion for the conglomerate.

In 2017, PMCJ, along with Recourse and Inclusive Development International (IDI), filed a complaint before the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), the independent accountability mechanism of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The complaint targeted the IFC’s financing of 19 coal plants in the country via Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). According to a 2019 CAO investigative report, RCBC financed 10 of the 19 plants, including three owned and operated by SMC.

The statement also cited continuing community suffering due to SMC’s operations in several regions:

• In Limay, Bataan, the coal plant allegedly caused skin diseases, health issues, and displacement of residents near rivers and natural springs, which were converted into coal ash dumps.
• In Mariveles, Bataan, SMC is expanding its plant in Biaan, compounding the woes of fisherfolk already impacted by another coal plant in Dinginin, owned by Aboitiz.
• In Masinloc, Zambales, expansion efforts are underway amid unresolved damage from a coal spill during Typhoon Kristine in November 2024. “Zambaleños have been staunch critics and environmental defenders,” the statement noted, adding that calls for government action remain unanswered.
• In Malita, Davao, SMC’s plant is located near the Malita River and Davao Gulf. PMCJ said that in 2017, Panalipdan Mindanao linked the killing of eight Indigenous rights defenders, including Datu Victor Danyan, to their opposition to the coal operations in the area.

The statement also raised concerns over a proposed 6,000-MW liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Navotas, which, according to PMCJ, threatens local biodiversity and livelihoods in both Navotas and Bulacan.

The group urged accountability from SMC and financial institutions that support fossil fuel projects. “Companies that lack social responsibility, such as SMC, should be held accountable for the multiple atrocities they are perpetrating in various areas of the country,” the statement read.

PMCJ also criticized the World Bank, IFC, and RCBC for allegedly enabling environmental and human rights abuses through their financing. “They cannot fool the people who track their moves and underhanded tactics. The World Bank, together with IFC and RCBC, must stop greenwashing and harming people in the name of ‘development,’” the statement said. ###

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