MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 18, 2013) – San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada has warned that the reduction of power supply to areas in Mindanao could cripple manufacturers and other local business establishments in the southern Philippine region.
Ejercito Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, made the statement following reports that Zamboanga City is experiencing three-hour brownouts due to the decision of state-run National Power Corporation (Napocor) to reduce power supply in the city by 10 megawatts (MW).
Other areas in Mindanao may soon suffer the same fate as power supply in the region was cut by 189 MW as of January 10, according to the National Grid of Corporation of the Philippines.
“Power outages will lower the productivity of local businesses and harm Mindanao’s economy. These power outages are definitely an injustice to businessmen and consumers alike,” Ejercito Estrada said.
Ejercito Estrada also echoed the fear of Mindanao businessmen that the power situation in the entire region could get worse when sardines manufacturers resume full operations in March following the lifting of a three-month ban on sardines fishing imposed by the government in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
“Mindanaoans are now reeling from the failure of the government to act on the power crisis two years ago, when the problem was easier to solve. The government wasted precious time,” he said.
The San Juan solon, who is running for the Senate in May polls, reiterated his call for the immediate rehabilitation of the Agus Pulangi facility which supplies more than half of Mindanao’s power supply.
The two hydro dams, he said, are currently producing only 635 MW of its 982 MW capacity due to the heavily-silted rivers of the facility.
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