(The Philippine Star) | Updated February 13, 2013 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI) is urging the government to help resolve lingering concerns in the power sector, foremost of which is the supply shortfall.
SEIPI said it considers two factors -- stability of power supply and competitive costs – as vital to the turnaround of the electronics industry this year.
The local electronics industry accounts for half of the country’s export shipments, aside from providing direct employment to 557,000 Filipinos, SEIPI president Dan Lachica said in a statement.
However, for the past two years, the industry has experienced flat growth.
Lachica said the sector’s growth hinges on the quality and cost of electricity in the country.
Thus, the group urged the government to ensure the stability of power supply at competitive rates.
“The association is closely monitoring the status of several big-ticket infrastructure power projects in the country, which are needed to assure not only a reliable, but inexpensive supply of electricity for both the new and the existing factories in the electronics industry, as well as in other sectors of the economy,” SEIPI said.
The group noted that some power projects are facing legal and policy hurdles.
As such, SEIPI urged the government to exert extra effort and remove the legal and policy obstacles affecting these infrastructure projects.
SEIPI said while power plant project proponents need to adopt measures for the protection of the environment, equal weight should be accorded in considering the advantages of a stable and reliable supply of cheap electricity.
“It is important for the government to resolve the issues in the power sector in order to dispel jitters among investors and enhance the country’s appeal as an investment destination,” SEIPI said.
Recently, an environmental case against a 600-MW power project in Subic of Redondo Peninsula Energy (RP Energy) was dismissed by the Court of Appeals.
SEIPI, an organization of more than 240 members, aims to encourage networking and sharing among its members as well as promote the Philippines and the industry in partnership with the government. source
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