In Happyland,
the cost of living is death

“May hipag po akong namatay dahil d’yan. Meron din pong batang namatay, maitim po yung baga,” said Nemielyn, a resident of Brgy. 105. In her over 30 years of residing, Nemielyn shared that she suffered from different health implications, including lung disease due to the dust and smoke released each time the workers burned coal.

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Respiratory diseases such as Tuberculosis are the leading health risk reported by the residents. The toxins generated by the facility cause severe harm to locals, with children being the most vulnerable.

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According to Nemielyn, the coal ash which contains hazardous pollutants, enters their households and contaminates their food and water. While it is dangerous to consume dirtied nourishment, she and her family are left with no choice but to do so.

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A fossil fuel like coal, serves as a primary source of energy globally and is widely used for electricity generation and fuel. The Philippines—despite having a low quantity of local coal reserves—heavily relies on coal imports which amount to billions of metric tons every year.

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In line with a study entitled True Cost of Coal by Greenpeace, reveals that coal burning has the most contribution to climate change among fossil fuels. Coal-fired power plants release enormous amounts of CO₂ into the environment annually—11 billion, to be exact. This equates to 41% of all CO₂ emissions worldwide from fossil fuels and 72% of CO₂ emissions from power generators worldwide. As long as CO₂ emissions are not promptly reduced, society is at risk of disastrous climate change effects.

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Moreover, the mentioned study found that coal plants emit millions of pollution yearly. Including toxic substances such as mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, tiny sulfate, and nitrate particles that infiltrate people's lungs and could lead to deaths. The "external costs" of coal usage come in the form of damages such as respiratory diseases, mining accidents, acid rain, smog pollution, reduced agricultural yields, and climate change.

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When asked about the harmful effects of coal, Elen, 27, a resident who lives beside the coal facility mentioned that her brother was recently hospitalized due to kidney and diabetes complications.

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“Naaapektuhan po, nagkakasakit din po. Yung kuya ko nga po may sakit eh inihatid namin, naka-confine…Nagkasakit din siya sa baga dahil sa coal,” she said.

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Meanwhile, Elen’s husband has worked in the coal facility since 2017. She expressed her concerns about the occupational hazards and health risks that come with the job.

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“Yung mga worker po wala sila mga protective ano…Wala po, ano lang po…damit, ayun ‘yung tinatakip nila sa mukha,” Elen added.

Despite the evident health risks tied to their jobs, Elen emphasized the harsh reality that her husband and other workers have to keep working because of financial responsibilities they carry.

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With these hardships, Jerica disclosed that her husband was once hospitalized for being electrocuted while on duty. Even with a life on the line, the company has failed to provide adequate support to its worker, and neglected his well-being.

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“Sagot lang nila lahat po pati yung pang-Jollibee, pagkain sa ospital sinasagot pero pagdating po dito sa amin, pinapabayaan na po sila, pangit ‘yung kumpanya na ‘yan, sana nga masunog na ‘yan.”

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“Hindi po ‘yan nasasara kasi napadaan na po ‘yan sa ano, sa TV hindi pa rin nasarado, napadaan na din ‘yan kay Jessica Soho, pati kay Tulfo, hindi pa rin napasara,” Elen stated.

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Since 2014, Happyland residents have arranged protests and campaigns to permanently close the coal facility, together with various non-environmental organizations, and with the presence of ABS-CBN and GMA journalists.