Senator Pia Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, yesterday urged stakeholders to maintain a passionate yet calm discussion on the planned entry of the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. into the Mt. Kanlaon National Park buffer zone to determine what is best for Negros .

PNOC-EDC wants to enter 29 hectares of the 169-hectare MKNP buffer zone to tap more geothermal power for its Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant in Mailum, Bago, which is being opposed by environment groups.

PNOC-EDC maintains that its entry is allowed by law and is necessary to prevent a power shortage in Negros Occidental by 2010.

Delia Locsin of the Save Mt. Kanlaon Coalition yesterday said they have asked Acting Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco to call for an energy summit to discuss how to address the power needs of the province.

Her group is opposed to the entry of PNOC-EDC into the buffer zone, citing the damage it will cause to biodiversity.

Cayetano, who was in Bacolod City , said a balance is needed between concern for the environment and sustainable energy needs.

All the pros and cons should be intelligently discussed to find a consensus among all stakeholders, she said.

Cayetano yesterday took a ride on an electric jeep and separately met with members of the Negros Occidental Association of Chief Executives, business and sugar leaders.

She also spoke before the Bacolod City Council.

Today she will visit Kabankalan City and Silay City .

At her meeting with members of the Negros ACE, Cayetano said she offered to provide funds for education and health programs in Negros, and expressed willingness to help Silay City in building a science and technology high school to benefit students from around the province.

Cayetano asked interested officials to submit their project proposals.

At her meeting with Chinese businessmen, she challenged them to match funds she will provide for the building of schoolbuildings.

At the Bacolod City Council she briefed members on the status of the Cheaper Medicines Bill and updated them on her work in the Senate for the environment and for women, Cayetano said.*CPG

back to top