Bishop, NGOs oppose
PNOC buffer zone entry
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and the Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition yesterday vowed to oppose the entry of the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone to tap more geothermal power.

At a press conference at the Bishop's House in Bacolod City yesterday, Delia Locsin and Edwin Balajadia of the coalition said the entry of PNOC-EDC into the 169-hectare buffer zone in Bago City is non-negotiable, they are studying legal moves to seek the repeal of a provision in Republic Act 9154 that allows the utilization of geothermal energy resources in the area.

RA 9154 is known as the Mt. Kanlaon Park Act of 2001.

We're averting
power shortage, firm says
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. yesterday assured that it is taking measures to mitigate the environmental impact of its entry into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone in order to fulfill its commitment to provide cheap and renewable geothermal energy to Negros Occidental, and avert a power shortage by 2010.

PNOC-EDC, in its press statement, also assured that it will only enter 29 hectares of the 169-hectare buffer zone.

PNOC-EDC reaffirms its commitment to provide power to Negros Occidental through its Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant in Barangay Mailum, Bago City , which can produce about 30-MW starting April 2010 and 40-MW from January 2011 onwards, NNGPP resident manager Gino dela Cruz said in the statement.

Security sought for
Bacolod airport if closed
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said that, in the worst-case scenario that the existing Bacolod Airport is closed, they will still bat for its re-opening as a secondary airport, but do not expect it to be competing with the airport in Silay.

Leonardia said he will have a meeting soon with Airport Security people because they would like to be assured that nothing will happen to the old airport if ever it is closed upon the opening of the airport in Silay.

They are concerned that the runway lights and other equipment there might be lost or damaged and be used as a reason not to reopen the airport, he said.