Power concerns top bizmen's agenda

Sunstar Bacolod

CONCERNS regarding Negros Occidental's electric power stability will top business sector's agenda in their meeting with President Benigno Aquino.

Jose Maria Zayco, vice president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the business group is set to meet with the President during his visit to the province in November 3.

Although Negros at this time is assured of stable power supply, Zayco said that there is an expected power shortage in the coming years due to the steady annual increase in power demand.

Zayco added that before meeting with the president, the province's business leaders will also hold a dialogue with some cabinet secretaries regarding other concerns.

Aside from power supply concerns, Zayco said, they will also discuss with the President how to streamline the processing of business and other governmental permits to make it simpler, easier and faster for businessmen to invest in the country.

They will also discuss the possibility for the business sector to be elected to key positions in the Regional Development Council.

After meeting with the businessmen, the President will then proceed to the Nature's Village Hotel and Restaurant in Talisay City for a meeting with the Provincial Government officials led by Governor Alfredo Maranon as well as all the mayors in the province.

The business leaders and government officials are looking forward to discussing with the President the direction of the ethanol industry in the province. The concern is considered one of the most important for Negrenses.

The country passed a law which mandated a minimum initial blend of five percent ethanol in all gasoline fuel used in the country. The law was intended to fast-track the country's ethanol industry, but two years after the passage of the law, the projected mushrooming of ethanol plants in the country did not materialize.

Ironically, a large majority of the ethanol used for the mandated blend is imported from other countries, especially Brazil.

The President's visit to the province was originally scheduled on October 22 but was postponed by Malacanang. This will be the President's first visit to the province since he won the election in May 11.

The business sector is set to meet Monday to consolidate their concerns for the scheduled meeting with the President, Zayco said. ( Teresa Ellera-Dulla)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on October 18, 2010.