By Cris G. Odronia Reporter
DAVAO CITY: President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Thursday said that his administration is exerting efforts to increase power supply in Mindanao.
President Aquino attended the inauguration of the Sibulan hydropower plant, Aboitiz Power Corp.’s Greenfield project, in Davao del Sur.
The 42.5-megawatt plant harnesses water coming from the Sibulan and Baroring rivers to generate electricity.
“Today, with the inauguration of this plant, we have taken a concrete step to solving the power shortage in the region. More efforts are being undertaken to increase supply,” the President said in his speech.
Mr. Aquino said that the launching of the power plant was a clear indication of the private sector’s urgent response to the government’s call to address the power situation in Mindanao.
“Borne out of the creative and strategic collaboration between the government and private agencies, this power plant is a testament to the inevitable success that comes when private entities become allies of the people,” the President added.
“We hope that other companies emulate your ventures in promoting sustainable development, not just for the region, but for the rest of the nation,” he said.
The President noted that besides political conflict and hunger, energy shortage in the region has prevented Mindanao, dubbed as the food basket of the country, from reaching its full potential.
“Mindanao, with its natural and renewable energy sources, will have a reliable supply of power in the near future,” he said, adding that he has asked the Department of Energy to create a long-term road map to maximize the use of other energy source potentials.
Mr. Aquino cited a windmill farm in Camiguin or Davao del Sur, which he said, would not only supply electricity to localities, but would also boost provincial tourism and local employment.
He said that a village in Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental with solar panels for roofs might just be the right solution for communities experiencing hours of blackouts.
Partnerships for power
President Aquino urged local governments and the private sector to work together in exploring the creation of mini-hydro plant projects.
“These partnerships can be achieved through local business ventures in which rural communities can provide manpower while private investors supply the knowledge and technology,” he said.
The President expressed hope that by the time he ended his term in 2016, the power problems in Mindanao would have been solved.
“We have bright days ahead of us. By the time I leave office, it is my hope that power problems in this part of the country will be nothing more than a bad memory,“ he said.
“The Sibulan power plant reflects a concrete step in that direction. With the active cooperation between the government and private entities, we are committed to end poverty and bring peace to Mindanao through vibrant growth and economic progress,” the President added.
The Sibulan power plant is said to be the first hydropower facility in the country registered under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a Clean Development Mechanism project.
After the inauguration of the Sibulan power plant, Mr. Aquino proceeded to Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte, to visit the
Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) projects there.
Later in the day, he and members of his economic team met with business leaders from the Davao provinces.
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