Alyansa bets eye end to Mindanao power woe
DAVAO DEL NORTE — The senatorial candidates of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas vowed to address power problems in Mindanao.
During the press conference ahead of the grand kick-off rally here, the senatorial bets proposed several measures that can be done to resolve the power crisis the region.
Among these are the review of existing franchises of non-performing cooperatives, investing in renewable energy, establishment of a nuclear power plant, and stricter implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act.
Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino emphasized the role of private sector-led initiatives in improving the power supply in underserved areas, citing Davao Light’s takeover of previously underserved areas as a potential game-changer.
House Deputy Majority Leader ACTS-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo called for a comprehensive review of electric cooperatives’ performance, advocating for the cancellation of franchises of non-performing cooperatives in favor of power companies that can deliver reliable electricity.
“Mayroon po akong panukala sa Kongreso since last year na review-hin na lahat ng mga franchise ng mga kooperatiba. Kung hindi sila nagpe-perform then kailangan tapusin na [ang franchise] then ibigay siguro doon sa mga power companies na who could really deliver. Ang kawawa kasi ‘yong mga consumers,” Tulfo said.
“Ang problema kasi, masama man sabihin, ang mga cooperative na ito, may mga koneksyon sa gobyerno. May mga pinagtatakpan sila, tinutulungan sila. It’s very ironic. Kaya nga siguro panahon na na review-hin na lahat ng mga power companies na ito lalo na ‘yong mga maliliit na cooperative na laging brownout nang brownout,” he stressed.
For her part, Makati Mayor Abby Binay said the key to addressing Mindanao’s power woes lies in harnessing renewable energy sources.
She pointed out that while 51 percent of Mindanao’s power comes from coal-fired plants, renewable energy sources remain largely untapped.
“I think before natin pwedeng pag-usapan ang progreso o development sa isang lugar ay kailangan nating solusyonan ‘yong demand for power,” Binay said.
“Unfortunately for Mindanao, 51% [of power] comes from coal-fired power plants, and I think there is an opportunity for renewable energy. ‘Yon kasi ang aking adbokasiya, ‘yong renewable energy. Two percent lang ang solar, 2% lang ang biomass, maliit lang din ang bioelectric. Those are untapped potential that Mindanao can be a source of solution to the demand for power. Walang magiging progreso sa isang lugar kung walang kuryente,” she said.
On the other hand, former Senator Manny Pacquiao underscored the need for the Philippines to establish its own nuclear power plant, similar to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, to ensure energy stability.
“Dito sa ating bansa, ‘yan ang number one na problema natin, ‘yong power supply. Kaya nagdadalawang isip ‘yong mga namumuhunan o mga investors na pumasok dahil ‘yon nga, may problema tayo sa power supply,” said Pacquiao, who hails from Mindanao.
Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, on the other hand, stressed the importance of stricter implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act, as he recounted his experience in government where bureaucratic delays hindered the expansion of the power grid in some parts of Mindanao.
“Ito’y actual na experience ko noong ako’y secretary ng DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government). Ito’y nangyari sa ibang parts ng Mindanao,” Abalos said.
