Bishop still no to buffer zone entry
but admits he cannot stop PNOC
IT’S THE MOST EXPEDITIOUS ANSWER TO POWER SHORTAGE, OSMEÑA SAYS
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra yesterday said he stands pat on his personal position against the entry of the Philippine National Oil Co-Energy Development Corp. into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone to tap more geothermal energy, but admitted that he can not do anything about it if government goes ahead with the project.

However, Former Senator John Osmeña yesterday said allowing PNOC-EDC’s entry in to the buffer zone to tap more geothermal energy for its North Negros Geothermal Power Plant in Bago City is  the most  immediate and expeditious answer to the current power problem Negros is facing.

“There is no free meal, if we want power, we have to make a sacrifice,” said Osmeña, who was chairman of its Committee on Energy while in the Senate..

Governor Isidro Zayco yesterday said the Department of Agriculture is willing to provide a P30 million counterpart for the improvement of communal irrigation systems in Negros Occidental, in support of their bid for the province to be rice-self sufficient.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental, at the request of Zayco, had earlier approved a P40- million budget for the improvement of irrigation systems and for agricultural inputs in the province.

Zayco, who met with DA regional director Larry Nacionales in Binalbagan yesterday, said he was told of their willingness to provide P30 million, to the P30-million budget set aside by the province for its communal irrigation systems.

Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella has denied spreading talks that the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of Bacolod City officials involved in the construction of the government center.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia also denied reports of their alleged suspension, calling them a product of rumor-mongering.

Puentevella said that as chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Communication, and with the current rice, food and power crisis in the country, he has no time for childish issues. “If the kitchen is too hot, get out!” he said.