IN THE administration of Governor Bong Lacson is already shining this early, and seems to foretell of the things to come in the province.
The former 3rd district congressman Albee Benitez was quoted in the SunStar report yesterday that he’s open to coal power plant because renewable energy cannot yet serve as the base load, but added that if ever it is done it should only be temporary not permanent.
Benitez statement on coal overshadows Gov. Bong Lacson position that the Executive Order declaring Negros Occidental as coal-free remains enforced.
While Governor Bong wants to give more time to study the issue and better alternatives, Benitez is already waving the green light for the proposed coal power plant on his assertion that solar, hydro, wind power sources are not yet dependable as the base load of the province.
Benitez demonstrates this early his persuasive power to put forward a win-win solution for the coal power plant proponent, the elites of Negros, and the provincial government.
His position, however, will not be bought by the advocates of renewable energy and the integrity of creation.
Nor will I buy and support it. The big solar energy production of the province can be further boasted by utilizing the co-gen of big sugar mills and the vast potentials of our wind, hydro and biomass power. According to Department of Enery Visayas reports in 2012, the projected power generation of renewable energy in the next 3-5 years or 2014-2018 would be enough to meet the energy needs in the next 10 years.
And of course, Governor Bong Lacson is his own man, a guy that cannot be dictated by anyone, and someone who likes to go against the odds if it matter his principles as he had done in the past.
But he is in a different situation and position now, one where he absorbs and must act on all the pressures brought by the class divide in Negros society. So can he eventually let go of the coal and pursue renewable energy for good? Or yield to the overarching powers and influence of Benitez and his political circle?
Honestly, I can’t forecast, I only see positive and countervailing scenarios.
But a glance of Benitez enormous political and economic power and interlocking business connections, and now as Bong’s consultant on trade and investments, it is no doubt he can be a great help to the governor in setting the foundations and the direction of his administration.
On the other hand, Benitez a big landed elite, owner of a huge network of businesses here and abroad, the big boss of Bong’s political party, a perceived political king maker, and reportedly an expert in ‘gambling diplomacy’, it is not impossible that he could overshadow, or influence the major economic and trade policies of the Lacson administration, to his own strategic advantage and plans.
If the results of his influence could be to the greater welfare of the greatest majority he will surely endear himself among the Negrosanon, and so also for Governor Bong who is out to prove his worth and make legacy on his native Negros soil.
The two then could be a formidable tandem in the present and next generations of politics and economics in Negros.
But if the Benitez intervention would only solidify his own political and economic powers, strengthen elite dynasties at the expense of the governor, while goodtime the vast marginalized sectors with token economic benefits and social services, their desired legacy would simply vanish on their road to perdition.
The outcome of the coal issue is a test to the good heart and integrity of Governor Bong Lacson, and the politico-economic interests of Benitez couched in his populist and humanist posturing.
In all this, I hope and pray that Governor Bong will not allow vested interests to overshadow the virtues and values of good life for our people and nature.*