Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said he met with Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra last night to explain the need for the Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. to enter the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone to tap more geothermal energy in order to meet a serious power shortage in Negros Occidental.

At a briefing on the power supply situation in Western Visayas before Negros Occidental officials and stakeholders at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Reyes said the PNOC-EDCs North Negros Geothermal Power Plant in Bago City, that aims to generate 49 megawatts, is vital to the energy needs of Negros.

The NNGP currently generates only 5 megawatts.

Reyes said he understands the concern of the bishop and environment groups on the need to prevent environmental damage within the buffer zone and assured that measures would be taken to address them.

The protesting environment groups have pointed out that the entry of PNOC-EDC into the bio-diversify rich buffer zone will affect 7,800 trees worth P58,139,965,026, and endanger flora and fauna.

Reyes said he asked to present a program to address their reservations and the bishop gracefully acceded to meet with him again on Monday.

The environment secretary said he will return to Negros with energy and PNOC-EDC officials to present to the bishop and those opposing the buffer zone entry a plan on environmental protection that, hopefully, will resolve the impasse.

It was encouraged by the fact that the bishop was keeping an open mind, Reyes said.

The energy briefing with local officials and stakeholders was set to start at 6 p.m. yesterday but Reyes made Negros officials and stakeholders wait an hour and a half while he met with the bishop.*CPG

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