War on Subic coal plant losing battle, says trade group head

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The head of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) on Tuesday threw in the towel in the fight against a planned coal-fired power plant here, saying it was a losing battle.

“We cannot fight a fight that is over,” said Danny Piano, SBFCC president, in a statement he sent to locators.

Earlier, however, Piano told Inquirer that business locators were split over the 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant that energy giants Aboitiz Power, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Taiwan Cogen Corp. are planning to build in the Redondo Peninsula here.

“In any case, the stark reality is that the Redondo plant project is going to push through. It already has, in fact. The project proponent has already started development which it expects to complete by 2015,” Piano said.

He cited a study by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the need for the right mix of renewable but expensive energy sources and nonrenewable but less expensive energy sources like coal.

“It is a necessary evil, the same as our gas-guzzling cars and SUVs (sport utility vehicles). It is analogous to the reason why we are not all driving hybrid cars—because we cannot afford them,” said Piano.

But Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chair Roberto Garcia said the coal-fired power plant that will be built by RP Energy, the corporate vehicle of the three energy firms, will have to go through a social acceptability process.

Opposition to the coal-fired plant project from surrounding communities has been growing due to fears that its operation would harm the environment and because of lack of consultation.

RP Energy president Erramon Aboitiz, in a letter to Garcia last month, said power from the 600-MW plant would go to the Luzon grid.

But Aboitiz said the firm “is willing to make available a 50 MW block of power to SBMA.

Battle In Manila Bay - News


Davis Cup back at Plantation Bay Resort & Spa

MANILA, Philippines - For the second time in just six months, the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is playing host to the world's toughest men's team tennis competition, the Davis Cup, with the staging of the Asia-Oceania Zone's Philippines-Chinese Taipei



Submarine for Navy? Noy bares AFP shop list

The ship arrived in Manila Bay last Sunday and underwent customs and immigration inspection. Officials said the cutter would serve as the lagship of the military's Western Command (Wescom) based Ulugan Bay in Palawan. It was learned that the ship would



War on Subic coal plant losing battle, says trade group head

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The head of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) on Tuesday threw in the towel in the fight against a planned coal-fired power plant here, saying it was a losing battle. “We cannot fight a fight that is over,” said



Your letters

After the Battle of Manila Bay, which made Adm. George Dewey a national hero, the Philippine Islands fell under US military occupancy. Previously, the islands had been under Spain's rule for 300 years; hence, why much of native Filipino language is



US show of force to mark 60th year of defense pact

China has also built structures that encroach on Philippine territorial waters, officials in Manila charged. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Philippines has been forced to rely on the deterrence of the American security umbrella promised by the MDT.




USS Concord, Battle of Manila Bay War Prize for Don Juan de ...

This is about the days before the Internet, when you enjoyed your day going from antique shops to thrift stores and the wonderful estate sales. From the time a fellow student had brought cabinet cards of early Miami to class in the 1960's, I have been hooked since. It has been a wonderful ride and as the days are waning, the memories become more precious. This is the only photo I have of John Henry Whiteley of Detroit Michgan. It is actually a newspaper article with an illustration of him and other Michigan & Detroit natives that fought at the Battle of Manila Bay with Dewey.  It list the ships they were on and and a little history of their life. John Henry was  born in Fruitport, Michigan and was 18 yrs old at time of enlistment. He served on the USS Concord and latter on fighting the Philippine Insurection where he was wounded.

These first four photo is of a letter that John H. Whiteley wrote the government becasue he was treated like baggage on his trip to the Naval hospital from injuries sustained in fighting the insurrection in the Philippine Islands. From his letter you can feel his disappointment with the way he was treated.

Document below is dated US Naval Hospital; Yokohama, Japan; Nov. 19th, 1899

Sir, I respectfully request to be reimbursed $10, Ten Dollars, gold. This amount having been paid out by me, in excess of Steerage Passage allowed me, on passage from Manila, P.I. to Yokohama, Japan, November 7th to 18th 1899. My orders requiring me to report at U.S. Naval Hospital Yokohama, Japan. The accomadations furnished me being in the forehold of the ship amonge Coolies, and the food unplateable to a man in my condition. I theirfore had to purchase at my own expense food and accomidation, to which I was entitled to under the law. But not furnhished me when transferred.

Respecfully, J. H. Whiteley, O.S. U.S.N.

This letter was witness by F. Stevens, Cheif Yeoman, WSN; William S. Chapman, Private, U.S.M.C.; T.J. Devine, G.M.


Battle In Manila Bay - Bookshelf

In cold blood, a true account of a multiple murder and its consequences

In cold blood, a true account of a multiple murder and its consequences


In defense of food, an eater's manifesto [additional copies -- 2]

In defense of food, an eater's manifesto [additional copies -- 2]

Cites the reasons why people have become so confused about their dietary choices and discusses the importance of enjoyable moderate eating of mostly traditional ...

Democracy in America

Democracy in America

Among the novel objects that attracted my attention during my stay in the United States, nothing struck me more forcibly than the general equality of ...

Reading Lolita in Tehran, A Memoir in Books

Reading Lolita in Tehran, A Memoir in Books

Describes growing up in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the group of young women who came together at her home in secret every Thursday to read and discuss ...

Democracy in America

Democracy in America

A French aristocrat's account of the ways in which democratic ideals were applied in America during the nineteenth century.

Day-by-day Walkthroughs Directory


Battle of Manila Bay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Battle of Manila Bay took place on 1 May 1898, during the Spanish ... The Battle of Manila Bay, depicted in a lithograph by Butler, Thomas & Company, 1899 ...

Battle of Manila Bay: Definition from Answers.com
Battle of Manila Bay (May 1, 1898) Naval engagement in the Spanish-American War . The U.S. Asiatic Squadron under George Dewey was ordered to sail

Manila Bay
The history of the Battle of Manila Bay, also known as the Battle of Cavite

Battle of Manila Bay - Spanish-American War Battle of Manila Bay
At the Battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey's US Asiatic Squadron encountered and destroyed the Spanish fleet of Admiral Patricio Montojo y ...

Battle of Manila Bay, 1 May 1898
Battle of Manila Bay (Dewey Medal); includes names of crew ... city of Manila in the Philippines on 1 May 1898 during the Spanish-American War (21 April to 13 August 1898) ...