Cebu province pushes investments in power

CEBU, Philippines - With the problem of energy insufficiency in the region, which has been felt in Cebu starting early last year, the provincial government is reminding the public to remain calm as the situation is temporary and they are finding permanent means to address the concern.

In fact, the province is now actively luring investors to the power sector.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia during the 888 news forum yesterday at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel said that while temporary solutions are being made to address the situation, they are also finding means to give a long term solution.

Garcia said that this is the reason why they are very supportive of companies that have shown interest in helping solve the lack of energy supply.

The governor also emphasized that while they want the progress and growth of Cebu to continue, which can not happen if the energy problem would still linger, they are also making sure that the power plants being set up are safe to the people and the environment.

“It is the policy of the provincial government to push for sustainable development,” said Garcia who pointed out that it is the reason why they personally flew in to Korea last year with members of the media and businessmen to see the operations and facilities being used by the Korean Power Electric Corporation that would be the same things to be used in their Cebu power plant in Naga.

Garcia said that they were shown that there were not toxic fumes or wastes being produced and that it would be safe to the environment. “They discovered just how clean, pristine and environmentally sound it was.”

But Garcia said that aside from this, they are not closing doors for other sources of energy such as renewable energy and would be very supportive as long as it can be sustained and be made possible.

Dr. Ramon del Fiero, a scientist and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of San Carlos said that he personally would recommend nuclear energy in Cebu as it is very safe and could give enough to the whole region unlike other renewable energy like wind and solar.

Del Fiero said that studies show that nuclear energy can be operate for a long time and can give the enough amount needed by Cebu.

Garcia assured that this would be seriously taken up and discussed during their meetings and if she would have the chance to sit again as governor of Cebu for the last term.  

She added that in fact, when they visited the Kepco site, the company’s brass in Korea said that their most cost-efficient and efficient power plant is their own nuclear power plant.

“I assure you that we will be encouraging power industry players to consider the possibility of putting up nuclear power plants here in Cebu for as long as we have the support of those who knows about this, like the academe”

But for the meantime, Garcia reminded the people not to panic while permanent solutions are being worked upon.

Garcia said that it is important to get the accurate information first and find out what really is the shortfall and the length of time it would be felt.

She said that temporary solutions which have proven very effective is the Interruptible Load Agreement program that the provincial government has inked with the Visayan Electric Company and private entities that use  large amount of energy.

Garcia said that they are also asking the Department of Energy to implement Wholesale Electric Spot Market in the Visayas grid so that power plants that have excess generating capacity that are currently bound by contracts will be allowed and encouraged to generate more power to be shared to the whole region.

Garcia also met with the leaders of the business sector yesterday afternoon and got a positive response to her request for cooperation with the power lack.

She said that the business leaders agreed to be part of the solution and not add to the problem.

The organizations represented were the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Club and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mostly of the members of the chambers, according to Garcia, own generating sets and they can use these to provide power for their establishments during a shortfall in supply.

“Kining temporaryo nga problema nga atong nasinati karon, angayan nga atong ipakita sa mga Sugbuanon nga kita nagtinabangay ug nagkahiusa sa pagsulbad sa problema,” said Governor Garcia. – AJ de la Torre, Jose Sollano/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)