Local dev't council calls on PGMA to transfer PB 104 to Iloilo
The Iloilo City Local Development Council (ICLDC) yesterday approved a resolution asking President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to order the transfer of Power Barge (PB) 104 presently moored in Davao City to Iloilo to cover the present power deficiency being experienced by city and entire Panay island.
The resolution says, at present there is no other alternative solution to the power crisis affecting Iloilo City and the entire Panay except for the immediate transfer of PB 104 from Davao to Estancia, Iloilo. PB 104 has 28 megawatts capacity.
The city is suffering from power shortage since the Palinpinon Plant in Negros Oriental is currently undergoing preventive maintenance resulting to the deficiency of 20 megawatts. The deficiency resulted to rotating brownouts and power shortage in the whole Panay area and the entire Iloilo City.
The resolution was signed by City Mayor Jerry Treñas, chair of ICLDC, and City Planning and Development Office chief Jose Roni Peñalosa, the secretary of ICLDC. City Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo, chair of the committee on public works and urban planning of the Sangguniang Panlungsod failed to sign in the resolution.
The power shortage is even worsened by the scheduled preventive maintenance program of Panay Power Corporation (PPC) which supplies bulk of power to Panay Electric Company (Peco), the city's sole power distributor.
"This present crisis in the whole (of) Panay island will slow down the economy of the locality and will cause great inconvenience to the general public," states the resolution.
The resolution was also signed by By Liga ng mga Barangay President Irene Ong, Barangay Captain Edita Castillo, ABC president of Arevalo; Barangay Captain Roberto Castillo, ABC president of City Proper; Barangay Captain Jonas Bellosillo, ABC President of Jaro; Barangay Captain Carlos Guarin, ABC president of Lapaz; Barangay Captain Reynaldo Prieto, ABC president of Lapuz; Iloilo Code NGOs Inc program director Emmanuel Areño and Ms. Ma. Lea Victoria Lara, executive director of the Iloilo Business Club (IBC).
According to Mayor Treñas, Davao City does not need the PB 104 anymore for its power needs because they have other standby sources. Cebu City officials are also eyeing for the transfer of PB 104 in their area to augment its power needs even with the number of coal plants in Cebu.
However, Treñas is confident that the President will have a positive response on the request of the city. The Secretary of Justice is also exerting efforts to convince national officials to transfer PB 104 to Iloilo.