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.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy yesterday confirmed  that Reyes is arriving for a dialog with Bacolod Bishop Navarra  and other oppositors to the entry of the  Philippine National Oil Co. Energy Development Corp. into the buffer zone of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park to tap more geothermal power, at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City 10:30 a.m. Monday.

The bishop and some environment groups are opposed to PNOC EDCs entry into the buffer zone saying it will damage an irreplaceable   biodiversity rich area.

Also expected at the dialog are provincial government officials led by Zayco, Murcia Mayor Esteban Coscolluela, Bago Mayor Ramon Torres, DENR and DOE officials, and leaders of business and farmers groups.*CPG

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