Aquino to talk with power stakeholders in Mindanao

President Benigno Aquino III will meet with power industry stakeholders in Mindanao, scheduled in Davao City after the Holy Week to firm up parallel tracks of immediate and medium- to long-term solutions to the Mindanao power problem.

This was announced yesterday by Mindanao Development Authority Chair Luwalhati Antonino in a press release, saying that the President wants to personally convey specific measures taken by the government and the proposed steps needed to secure a reliable and sustainable Mindanao power generation.

Antonino said that MinDA, in collaboration with the Department of Energy, is making the necessary preparations for the conduct of a Dialogue with Mindanao Power Stakeholders, which will also include the key local leaders in the island.

"The President understands the full account of the Mindanao power situation and has taken quick steps to address the power shortage problem with great resolve," she said, adding that the President wanted that solutions be discussed as shared consensus of the Mindanao stakeholders.

According to Antonino, MinDA has been doing initial rounds of consultations with Mindanao power stakeholders, industry players, local chief executives, and lawmakers to generate common understanding of the power issue and draw out collective recommended measures.

"The President's objective is for everyone to be part of the effort to stabilize power supply situation in the short term with lesser impact possible on power rates, and ensure sustainable long term energy security in Mindanao," she stressed.

Antonino said the identified immediate measures so far, without giving further details as these would form part of the discussion during the scheduled Mindanao dialogue, are projected to generate an indicative aggregate capacity of 219MW, which is enough to address current 150-170 MW power deficit.

The Association Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives noted that electric cooperatives and distribution utilities have responded positively to the recent circular of DOE which ordered compliance to certain directives aimed at addressing the power situation in Mindanao.

Clint Pacana, AMRECO executive director, said the group believes that the DOE circular restored confidence and trust in the power system and that voluntary adherence and compliance by those concerned could be very well expected. - PIA — ARA