SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews/14 September) – Korean investors have expressed interest to build a coal-fired power plant in this city, Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas said.
In a press conference yesterday at the city hall, Matugas said he recently met the investors in Manila and they told him they plan to put up a coal-fired mega-power plant here.
But the mayor said a 300-megawatt power plant might be too huge, adding a 30-megawatt capacity is ideal for the city’s power needs.
He said he will see to it that the planned power plant would not harm the environment.
Environmentalists have repeatedly warned against the ill-effects of coal-fired power plants on the environment and human health.
Matugas further announced that American and Japanese investors are set to build a $21-million tuna cannery plant in the city.
The Crystal Corporation will release an initial amount of $8 million for the construction which will start either within the year or early next year, he said.
“Their target is eight months to finish after the start of construction,” he said.
The mayor said the state-of-the-art tuna cannery will generate 2,500 to 3,000 jobs once it becomes starts to operate.
He said he also talked to three mining firms that wanted to invest here.
He added a hotelier based in Davao City wanted to open a branch in the city.
Matugas said the investors have made inquiries at his office on the requirements for their proposed area of investments and conducted site inspections.
He said he has asked the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in order to boost the local economy.
City Administrator Balgamelo Ma told MindaNews that the proposed tuna cannery plant will be put up along the city’s coastal area. (Roel N. Catoto/MindaNews)
