Jericho Rosales voiced alarm about the construction of a coal-fired power plant in La Union and warned about the dangers of the pollution it produces in a social media post.

The actor wrote on Instagram yesterday, Nov. 17: “It is said that it’s worse for children to be breathing air near a coal-fired power plant ash bin than to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day.”

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“Burning coal (karbon mula sa bundok) releases mercury in the air (a cause of asthma [and] other respiratory illnesses and damages the nervous system) then goes to [the] ocean and is eaten by fish that we also eat,” he explained.

“It also destroys coral reef in the process. This old and dirty way of producing energy causes many other harmful effects.”

“Did you know that there is a plan to build one in Luna, La Union? My heart goes out to my beloved La Union,” he said, urging the public to sign a petition against its construction.

“My friends and I might just give you free surf lessons if you sign it,” he said.

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Another celebrity, Antoinette Taus has also expressed opposition to the power plant and asked netizens to sign the same petition last October. The petition is nearly at its 3,000 target as of writing.

The 670-megawatt power plant will cover a sprawling 41 hectares and is set to begin operating commercially on 2022. Within its vicinity are towns with beautiful natural resources such as coral gardens and waterfalls which are at risk of being polluted.

The petition appeals to the government not to grant the project an environmental compliance certificate and other permits since residents in only five barangays were reportedly consulted while other stakeholders in the power plant’s immediate impact area were not.

The “Halik” star has advocated for the environment and uses social media to raise awareness about ocean pollution. JB

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