THE SUPREME COURT has upheld a fine on National Power Corp. (Napocor) over its Marawi City Hydroelectric power plant’s failure to comply with environmental standards.
In a resolution dated Jan. 30 and made public on July 27, the tribunal ordered Napocor to pay P100,000, saying it had failed to complete irrigation projects through its Marawi City plant. It upheld an appellate court ruling that ruled against the state power generator.
“Findings of fact of administrative agencies are accorded weight and respect in this court in deference to the agency’s specialized knowledge and expertise in matters under its jurisdiction,” the High Court said.
The Court of Appeals also affirmed the Environmental Management Bureau’s finding that Napocor had failed to prove that it conducted water quality monitoring and set up an environmental guarantee fund for rehabilitation through its hydroelectric plant. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
