First, the newly installed Barangay Council of San Juan, Aborlan passed a resolution that revoked their predecessors' endorsement of the coal plant. How this development will be received by the proponents and by the Governor of Palawan, a staunch supporter of DMCI, remains to be seen.
Second, the homegrown advocates of No To Coal who organized and called themselves SAFE (Save Aborlan From Evils) went to court for a temporary restraining order. A few hours after the announcement of the resolution's revocation, the Regional Trial Court of Palawan under Judge Joselyn Dilig issued a 72-hour Temporary Environmental Protection Order or TEPO. It prohibits the Palawan Council of Sustainable Development from issuing a SEP clearance to DMCI until the court clarifies the issue.
These twin victories were capped by the visit of Lolita Carbon, the voice behind the famous 70's band, Asin. Lolita Carbon held a free concert where she gamely sang with Palaweno talents. She vowed to come back to support the No To Coal initiative via a concert cum rally.
We are hopeful that the odds will be on the No To Coal side in the coming days and weeks. Little victories such as these serve as inspiration among the defenders of Palawan against environmental destruction.
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