‘Majority of Negros SPMs
backing buffer zone entry’
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The majority of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan members are in favor of allowing the Philippine National Oil Co. Energy Development Corp. into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone to tap more geothermal power, Board Member Mae Javellana said yesterday.

But the SP members want to make sure that when they pass a resolution endorsing the entry, provisions are stipulated to ensure the protection of the environment, Javellana, SP Committee on Environment chair, said.

The provincial board members also want a provision requiring PNOC EDC to commit to making Negros Occidental the priority user of the geothermal power it produces to ensure that the power shortage in the province is addressed, she said.

Bishop Vicente Navarra and Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes are set for another dialog on the buffer zone in Bacolod City Monday.*

Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo Jr. (Neg Occ., 5th District) yesterday said he will help Gov. Isidro Zayco make representations with the national government for a power barge to address the power shortage in Negros Occidental.

“I will ask (Energy) Secretary (Angelo) Reyes if it can be done,” he said, noting the near daily brownouts in Negros Occidental.

Zayco last week said he was asking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the use of a power barge from Mindanao to address the constant brownouts plaguing Negros Occidental..

Vice Governor Emilio Yulo III said a reorganization of the Negros Occidental Sanggunian committee chairmanships may take place soon with the appointment of  planter-businessman Enrique “Guding” Lacson to the provincial board.

Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (Neg Occ., 5th District) nominated Lacson to the post vacated by Yulo who assumed the vice governorship after Gov. Joseph Marañon died in March.

Arroyo is the regional chairman of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino to which Yulo belongs, and the party has the right to nominate a replacement.