Sunday, September 04, 2005 (Philippines)

GARBO SA CENTRAL VISAYAS.Fireworks add sizzle to a Sinulog performance at the opening of a tourism exhibition in Intramuros, Manila. (Sun.star photo/Alex Badayos) While power rates are bound to increase because of the expanded value-added tax (E- Vat), electricity in the Visayas may be cheaper than in other areas in the country, an official of the Department of Energy said Friday. Energy Undersecretary Melinda Ocampo said in an interview that power in the Visayas will cost less than in other areas, because the grid relies more on geothermal power, which is exempted from the E-Vat. She said renewable sources like geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind are exempted from E-Vat. [full story]