The meeting between Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes and Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and other oppositors to the entry of the Philippine National Oil Co. Energy Development Corp. into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone to tap more geothermal energy has been tentatively reset to May 19.

The meeting had originally been set on May 12 but Reyes has to attend a congressional hearing, Rey Maleza of the Department of Energy said.

The meeting and venue will be finalized on Monday, he said.

Maleza said he has asked Fr. Anecito Buenafe, Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center director, for a list of the oppositors so that they can be invited to the dialog.

Reyes had asked for the dialog during a meeting with Navarra Wednesday night to allow government to explain the need for PNOC EDC to enter the buffer zone in order to solve the power shortage being faced by Negros.

The bishop and environmental groups are opposed to the buffer zone entry, saying it would destroy the rich biodiversity in the area.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Sanggunian is expected to decide next week whether to concur or not in the request of the Philippine National Oil Co. Energy Development Corp. to enter the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone to tap more geothermal energy, Gov. Isidro Zayco said.

The North Negros Geothermal Power Plant of PNOC in Bago City that has a 49-megawatt capacity is currently only producing 4 megawatts.*CPG

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