The Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Energy is endorsing the entry of the Philippine National Oil Co. Energy Development Corp. into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone, which is vital in addressing the current power shortage, Board Member Nehemias dela Cruz, committee chairman, said yesterday.

PNOC EDC has asked the SP for its concurrence on its entry into the buffer zone in order to tap more geothermal energy for its North Negros Geothermal Power Plant in Bago City. The plant that has a capacity for 49 megawatts is currently only producing about 4 to 5 megawatts of electricity.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said it vital for PNOC EDC to enter the buffer zone to meet the power shortage in Negros, while Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and some environment groups are opposing this, saying it will destroy the rich biodiversity in the area.

Gov. Isidro Zayco had earlier said the SP may decide on the buffer zone issue at its regular session today but Vice Gov. Emilio Yulo III yesterday said he did not think the matter would be tackled yet.

He said the position papers of some groups were being awaited before a decision could be made and that a caucus would have to be made with the SP members on their next move.

Dela Cruz said the energy committee, of which board members Renato Gustilo and Mae Javellana are members, is endorsing the entry into the buffer zone because this is an immediate alternative power source being offered for Negros.

He also said PNOC EDC’s geothermal power is a better alternative to coal power from Kepco-Salcon in Cebu.

The decision was also made amid the current brownouts hitting the province and the endorsement of business groups and electric coops, he said.

Earlier, the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Central Negros Electric Cooperative and Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative urged the SP to act on the request of PNOC EDC to enter the buffer zone, which they said is vital in meeting the power shortage in Negros.*CPG

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