Frasco supports energy infra projs to bolster economy and tourism
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) on Friday said it supports national infrastructure projects for energization that will bolster the economy as well as tourism.
This statement was issued by the DOT after its attached agency, the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) were locked in a legal dispute over the construction of Visayas-Mindanao power grids or the Cebu-Magdugo line, which are both located in the planned golf course being developed by the tourism agency.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said the DOT reaffirmed its support for infrastructure projects for energization that will support the economy as well as tourism including the Cebu-Magdugo 230kV Transmission Line Project.
The NGCP earlier has filed an expropriation action against the TIEZA, compelling the latter to avail of appropriate legal remedies while also exerting earnest efforts to negotiate with the NGCP.
Believing that energy is as vital a component of tourism as the development of infrastructure programs that positively impact the community and the local tourism industry of Cebu’s uplands, Frasco has instructed TIEZA to resolve the issue amicably with the NGCP.
The DOT clarified that the Kang-Irag Property in Cebu is not just limited to the development of a golf course but has been considered for other types of tourism development such as nature-based, leisure, and agriculture/farm tourism that can provide livelihood and employment to many Cebuanos, considering the area is home to cut-flower, crop, and vegetable farmers.
With due respect to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and favoring the peaceful and amicable resolution of issues over the unnecessary and premature publicity of this matter thus far, Frasco has instructed TIEZA to immediately coordinate with the NGCP so the best interest of the public may be served.
The NGCP has until the end of the year to complete the Visayas-Mindanao power interconnection but is expected to be delayed due to the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court based on the petition filed by TIEZA.
The Cebu-Magdugo line is a component of the Cebu-Negros-Pangay backbone project that is crucial to the operation of the 450-megawatt Visayas-Mindanao interconnection project.
