A coalition of twenty-eight local and national organizations has called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to fully cancel Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) long-contested Atimonan One Energy (A1E) coal-fired power plant in Quezon province, citing environmental harm and community risks.
In a letter sent to the DOE, the groups, led by the South Luzon Laudato Si’ Convergence, welcomed the agency’s April 22 decision to revoke the A1E project’s exemption from the 2020 coal moratorium, but warned that the move fell short of offering real protection.
“However, we know that this withdrawal grants no assurance that the project will indeed no longer come to life – whether as a coal or gas/liquefied natural gas facility, which MGen has been aggressively claiming as a conversion option it should be allowed to pursue… Our call for a total termination of the 1,200 Atimonan coal plant, and its sister proposition of a 2,400 MW gas plant is a moral responsibility owed to our communities and to the preservation of our Common Home,” the letter read.
The groups argued that continued support for fossil fuel projects violates the Renewable Energy Law of 2008, which mandates the DOE to prioritize clean energy alternatives.
“The promotion of fossil fuels therefore results in the failure of the DOE to adhere to this responsibility,” they wrote. “Communities across Quezon and the Philippines have long suffered health, livelihood, and other impacts from the proliferation of coal and gas. Meanwhile, much potential for clean energy from renewables remains untapped in our country.”
The letter was sent amid political reshuffling following the 2025 midterm elections. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked cabinet secretaries to submit courtesy resignations, with a performance review now underway.
“It’s sensible of DOE Secretary Lotilla to be among the first cabinet members to turn over his resignation,” said Gerry Arances, Convenor of consumer rights group Power for People Coalition (P4P). “Three years into the post, he has miserably failed to address rising electricity rates, rampant outages, and uncompetitive and abusive practices in the power sector.”
“While he is still in office, the Secretary has a chance to do right by consumers and communities by ensuring the full termination of the A1E project. Failure to do so would be a disservice to consumers, and would only solidify the unchecked dominance of one company – Meralco – in both power generation and distribution,” Arances added.
The A1E project has faced opposition for over a decade from environmental groups and local communities concerned about pollution, displacement, and long-term ecological damage.
