"For years, residents opposed the Atimonan coal plant. It’s greenlit anyway." 4 November 2025

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... different churches in Quezon staged the first mobilization in Atimonan against the coal plant. And people showed up. They may have been silent, said Puno, but their actions spoke otherwise.

In the coal capital

The Atimonan coal plant, owned by Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN), will be the fourth coal plant in Quezon province once construction is completed. There’s the Quezon Power Plant and the San Buenaventura Power Plant in Mauban, and the Pagbilao Power Plant which has three generating units. San Buenaventura was the latest to start commercial operations, in 2019.

The coal plant has not commenced. MGEN has not yet awarded the contract for construction, according to the company’s response to Rappler’s queries on Friday, October 31. It estimates that construction will start by the second quarter of 2026...

“We want to assure the public that the project complies with all environmental and health standards set by the government,” MGEN said.

“We aim to implement programs that protect community health and support sustainable livelihood, particularly for fishermen and affected sectors,” the firm added in response to pollution concerns. “A multipartite monitoring team with EPIMB-DENR (Electric Power Industry Management Bureau-DENR) guides us in ensuring compliance and addressing concerns.”

In response to opposing groups, especially the local diocese, Meralco PowerGen emphasized they conduct consultations, such as one held last September. “MGEN assures the public that it remains committed to operating responsibly, as well as values and respects the feedback from its stakeholders.”

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To comply or to resist

The Atimonan coal project has already displaced a number of families in Villa Ibaba. Some fishermen fear what this may mean for their livelihood.

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On the land where the coal plant is about to be built, Espinosa said, people used to harvest coconut and take care of pigs. “There was income,” she said...

A total of 47 families, including Espinosa’s, moved to the relocation site that Meralco PowerGen built. “Many residents have upgraded their homes, started small businesses, and gained employment through skills training,” MGEN said in its reply to Rappler.

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At 71, Grimaldo remains active in community efforts and in his opposition to the Atimonan coal plant. He said they fish near the shore for squid and crabs, in the area where the outpost of the coal plant stands. If the plant becomes operational, he doubts they will be allowed to fish in those waters again.

Grimaldo is concerned about the plant’s effect on fishing and people’s health. “If not sickness, it will bring much poverty,” he said.

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