Emergency powers ‘won't solve Mindanao brownouts’

GIVING President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo the "emergency powers" to solve the power crisis being experienced in Mindanao is not the solution to the problem, an official said.

During the weekly Kapihan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) regional corporate executive Edgardo Calabio said the power crisis is triggered by the low power supply being generated by hydro power plants in the Mindanao grid.

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Instead of calling for a state-of-emergency in Mindanao to solve the power crisis, Calabio rather recommended for a long-term solution, which is to expand other non-hydro sources of power.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes is pushing that emergency powers be extended upon President Arroyo to ease the power crisis being experienced throughout Mindanao.

The power crisis in Mindanao is expected to worsen in the next couple of months.

But for Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) chair Virgilio Leyretana, the President should be given the emergency power based on the "wisdom of the members of Congress."

"We cannot allow this (power crisis) to go far too long. We cannot compromise the industry and businesses in the city and in Mindanao," Leyretana said in an interview at SM City Davao, Monday morning.

"This (power) crisis should not be allowed to go on its own way for too long," he added.

On the other hand, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao chief Marizon Loreto said there is no need yet for emergency powers to be granted to the President.

"The private sector and the local governments are already taking action to resolve the problem," Loreto said. "What is important is that the people know what is going on and the necessary actions to be done."

The trade department chief cited the action of the Davao Light and Power Company on tapping the Aboitiz-owned Sibulan Hydro Power Plant by March, generating an additional 21 megawatts for its franchise area.

DLPC covers the entire Davao City and its neighboring provinces as its franchise area.

"Davao City is actually better off than the other areas in Mindanao due to the embedded power plant of DLPC. Without it, the power outages could be longer than what we experience right now," Loreto said.

For its part, SM City Davao shifts to the use of its generator set during peak hours to help ease the load demand of Davao City. (CPM)