La Union is under threat: the construction of a 670-megawatt coal-fired power plant (CFPP) is expected to commence this year, in the historic town of Luna, which is known for its natural geophysical and cultural assets of high ecological, livelihood and touristic value. Within the 2 to 30 aerial-kilometer radius of the proposed coal-fired plant are the towns of Balaoan, known for its bountiful corn harvests and biodiverse coral gardens; of San Juan and Bacnotan, the main surfing areas; and of San Gabriel, home to Tangadan Falls (the most popular falls in Northwest Luzon) and Lon-oy Springs (a major water supply source of the City of San Fernando and suburbs). All of these will be degraded and eventually destroyed once the CFPP starts spewing toxic chemicals. Moreover, the water heated by the plant’s cooling system will blanch and damage supersensitive corals within the Darigayos Cove, known for its rich marine ecosystem (the source of livelihood of thousands of fisherfolks) and heritage structures along its white beach. We APPEAL to President Rodrigo Duterte, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Sen. Cynthia Villar (Environment Committee), Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian (Energy Committee), DA Secretary Manny Pinol, Congressman Pablo Ortega, Congresswoman Sandra Eriguel, Governor Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, Vice Gov. Aureo Nisce, Mayor Victor Marron and Vice Mayor Romeo Resureccion to: 1. Deny GLEDC’s application for an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) including other permits to construct and operate the CFPP. The proponents used deceit, bribery and strong-arm tactics to suppress opposition to their plan and did not fully comply with the required ECC processes as it only consulted residents in the five (5) barangays in and around the proposed 41-hectare site and excluded/ignored other towns and barangays within the plant’s immediate impact area as shown by the NO2 modelling exercise done by its own environmental consultants. Likewise, the Environmental Impact Assessment done by GLEDC’s consultants was also found to be technically deficient and misleading by other technical experts. 2. Pursue an alternative development agenda that is consistent with the Agri-Tourism Development Strategy of the Provincial Government of La Union being espoused by no less than Governor Pacoy Ortega. The proposed site and the nearby Darigayos Cove and Mt Kangisitan can instead be developed as an ecotourism zone linked with other touristic attractions of La Union. 3. Identify and develop renewable energy sources to augment the country’s power supply. As La Union has a very high photovoltaic potential, more solar farms similar to those in Batangas should be built as soon as possible.

MC-SAID is an institution dedicated to the total development of deaf children, providing for equal opportunities for learning. It was founded in 1974 and completely integrated in Miriam College system in 2007. MC-SAID is an important part of the community as it is the only school in the Philippines with complete continuum education from basic to graduate studies for deaf children. It is important as it nurtures them to develop emotional, social and cognitive abilities that are crucial towards their drive for self-actualization and community. The plans to close MC-SAID by 2019 is due to low number of enrollees and seeming lack of funds to sustain operations. Parents are only given a year to look for an alternative school that can cater to the special needs of their children. The abrupt decision to close MC-SAID is prioritizing who gets access to education. It means one is less valuable than the other. It means leaving people behind. We, concerned individuals and alumni of Miriam College, are appealing to the Board of Trustees of Miriam College to reconsider their plans of closing Miriam College - Southeast Asian Institute for the Deaf (MC-SAID) by the end of school year 2018-2019. We further appeal to the Board of Trustees to rethink this closure by extending MC-SAID's operations beyond 2019 and creatively exploring more viable alternatives that will be mutually beneficial for the school and its students. Miriam College should give itself considerable amount of time to find innovative solutions to their existing challenges, looking for better alternative rather than full closure of MC-SAID. Miriam College have been expanding other areas of their academic community. It is within their scope to do the same for MC-SAID. Similarly, they should also provide adequate time for parents and students to consider all possible options for their children. The essence of having a special school for deaf children is that they require special attention. Miriam College should involve them in exploring for more acceptable and reasonable solutions, rather than passive recipients of unfair decisions. The future of the children is at stake, which makes them the biggest stakeholders to the issue. Miriam College is an institution that “commits itself to creating and living within our school community the very changes we seek to realize in society”. One of their core values, Justice, espouses rejection of discrimination of any kind against any individual or any group. We hope Miriam College will stand true to its mission, vision and core values by continuously providing equal opportunities of learning for deaf children. #SaveSAID