PNoy inaugurates 164-MW power plant in Panay

President Aquino inaugurated last Thursday the 164-mega-watt coal-fired power plant of Panay Energy Development Corporation.

Authorities said that putting-up this power plant will greatly boost the pride not only of the Iloilo Province but more so the tourism and investment potential of the whole Visayas region.

Panay island, at the tail of the Visayas grid, is most vulnerable to power shortages and fluctuations, currently being experienced in the most of its areas. Presently, the Visayas Power Grid is mainly dependent on power generated by geothermal plants in Leyte.

The Energy Department, government officials and other businesses have pushed for power generators to be established in Western Visayas especially in Panay to lessen vulnerability to blackouts when the plants in Leyte and Cebu malfunction.

However, religious organizations, cause-oriented individuals and a number of residents living near the plant continue to oppose the operation of the plant due to environmental and health concerns. — TONI