LOCATION: The Philippines
RELATIONSHIP: Manila Electric Company owns 51% of the San Buenaventura Power Station through its wholly-owned subsidiary Meralco PowerGen Corporation.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
In 2017, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) filed a complaint to the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on behalf of communities who were harmed or were facing future harms related to the IFC’s investment in JG Summit Holdings and other coal developers in the Philippines. The complaint addresses a range of community concerns and impacts related to the San Buenaventura Power Station, originally designed as an expansion of the existing Quezon Power Limited Company (QPL) plant. The complaint references a local health ministry study that found increased tuberculosis in the area since QPL had been operational, and notes that the local community feared further health and environmental impacts, including respiratory disease, following expansion of the plant. A study by Greenpeace also found high levels of heavy metals and other hazardous substances at the site known to have serious impacts on health and on water biodiversity, threatening the livelihoods of fisherfolk and other residents in the area. A subsequent investigation into the PMCJ complaint by the IFC’s ombudsman concluded that available information supported the communities’ allegations regarding air and water pollution associated with the plant, including the health impacts of coal ash and heavy metals in the environment. The San Buenaventura Power Plant became operational in 2019 and is now considered a separate legal entity from QPL.
IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY
Surrounding communities are concerned about the impacts of water contamination on fish populations and overall biodiversity.
IMPACT ON CLIMATE
Experts warn that any new or expanded coal-fired power plants will worsen climate disasters.
RESOURCES
Information on this project was submitted by Philippine Movement for Climate Justice and last updated on February 13th, 2025.
LOCATION: The Philippines
RELATIONSHIP: Manila Electric Company owns Global Business Power through its wholly-owned subsidiary wholly-owned subsidiary Meralco PowerGen Corporation. Global Business Power’s subsidiary subsidiary Panay Energy Development Corporation owns owns Panay Power Station.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
In 2017, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) filed a complaint to the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on behalf of communities who were harmed or were facing future harms related to the IFC’s investment in JG Summit Holdings and other coal developers in the Philippines. In the complaint, residents reported experiencing lung problems and skin diseases related to coal pollution from the Panay Power Station. An investigationconducted by the ombudsman in response to the complaint concluded that health impacts were likely associated with the plant and noted that available information also supports community allegations that they had not been adequately consulted or informed about the power station and its impacts.
IMPACT ON CLIMATE
Experts warn that any new or expanded coal-fired power plants will worsen climate disasters.
RESOURCES
Information on this project was submitted by Philippine Movement for Climate Justice and last updated on February 13th, 2025.
LOCATION: The Philippines
RELATIONSHIP: Manila Electric Company owns Global Business Power, whose subsidiary Toledo Power Company is the plant operator plant operator.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
In 2017, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) filed a complaint to the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on behalf of communities who were harmed or were facing future harms related to the IFC’s investment in JG Summit Holdings and other coal developers in the Philippines. In the complaint, local communities reported that coal ash from the Toledo Power Corporation Plant was “being dumped indiscriminately” in Toledo city and surrounding areas and that this had led to adverse health impacts. Communities also allege that they were not adequately consulted or informed about the impacts of the project. An investigation by the IFC ombudsman conducted in response to the complaint concluded that available information supported these allegations.
IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY
Local communities allege that coal ash has polluted the seawater surrounding the plant and that the company has not put any prevention and mitigation measures in place.
IMPACT ON CLIMATE
Experts warn that any new or expanded coal-fired power plants will worsen climate disasters. Environmental and social impact assessments have concluded concluded that the Sangi plant releases an estimated 0.63 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.
RESOURCES
Information on this project was submitted by Philippine Movement for Climate Justice and last updated on February 13th, 2025.