Take a stand

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The debate on whether or not the Philippine National Oil Co. Energy Development Corp. can enter the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone to tap more geothermal energy in order to increase the capacity of its North Negros Geothermal Power Plant in Bago City, which is currently generating only 4 out of the expected 49 MegaWatts of power, can go on forever. The reality of the situation, however, demands that a decision must be made by our elected officials very soon so that a strategy regarding the power crisis we are experiencing can be mapped out as soon as possible.

The opposing groups, both with the best of intentions, have already presented their numerous arguments over the past few months. All of the points raised have been valid, and the resulting impasse is proof of the strength of the positions of the stakeholders. The urgency of the situation is punctuated by the ongoing power crisis that Negros has been suffering from, disrupting businesses, the economic progress of the island, and the daily lives of its people.

This is one tough decision with far-reaching implications, and, unfortunately for the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, this decision must be made by them very soon. As elected public officials, they must weigh carefully the pros and cons of the PNOC-EDC’s entry into the buffer zone. As elected officials of the province of Negros Occidental, they cannot pass this important decision to national government officials who do not even live in this island. Unfortunately for them, the office they aspired for comes with responsibilities greater than constructing basketball courts and waiting sheds, and taking a stand on this very controversial issue is one such responsibility.

The luxury of time to engage in endless debates has been taken away by the fact that we are in the midst of a power crisis where no immediate solution has yet been offered. We need to know if the PNOC-EDC entry into the buffer zone is a viable part of this solution or not, and it is the duty of the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to make that call as soon as they can.*