Arroyo warns of severe power shortage in Iloilo

By Ronilo L. Pamonag

President Macapagal-Arroyo has warned that Iloilo would suffer ‘severe' power shortage unless there is an additional energy source.

Speaking before local media and vendors at the Central Market Friday last week, Arroyo said that figures regarding demand and supply indicate that the country's Visayas region would suffer the ‘most severe shortage.'

“And the most severe shortage will be in Iloilo because there are no indigenous sources (of power),” she stressed.

The Department of Energy forecasts that Panay island will be needing about 430 MW by 2015, an increase of more than 100% from the present power requirement of 216 MW.

Although Mirant Philippines has indicated its willingness to put up a coal fired power plant in the southern towns of Barotac Viejo and Concepcion, it is without opposition.

The church and several environmentalist groups, particularly the Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (RISE) are opposing the plan to put up a coal fired power plant.

They claim that it would be adverse to the environment and the health of the people.

Moreover, they said that the forecast of the DOE of an impending power shortage is but a bait to allow the construction of the power plant, and that the date presented was ‘irrelevant.'

Assurance

Senate President Franklin Drilon, who hails from Iloilo City, and Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. however assured the oppositors that a coal fired power plant will neither harm human health nor the environment.

“I can assure you that I will not allow any power plant to destroy our environment,” Drilon stressed.

Tupas, who hails from Barotac Viejo, “I would not want people to die (because of the power plant) because if they die, there will be no more voters.”

The statement from the governor, who also claims that 80% of the residents of Barotac Viejo are his relatives, drew laughter from the audience.

He recalled their visit to the Sual Power Plant in Quezon.

They say that a coal fired power plant kills humans, fishes and trees, but there in Quezon, there were a lot of fishes-plump fishes-and there are even people fishing; and there are trees also.

He added that for the ten years that the plant was operating, residents did not note anything wrong with their health.