Duterte-Carpio cites finding solution to Mindanao power problem, great challenge in her stint as head of the Regional Development Council XI

DAVAO CITY, June 26 (PIA) Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio cited finding solutions to power generation and depleting power sources for Mindanao as two major concerns closer to her heart during her stint as chair of the Regional Development Council XI.

She told reporters that power remains critical for Mindanao even if she bows out of office on June 30 as mayor of the city.

Duterte-Carpio noted that the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, the National Power Corporation and the National Economic and Development Authority Board-Infrastructure Committee and other concerned agencies responded to the Regional Development Committee-Mindanao recommendations ranging from the selective dredging of the Pulangi river to increase generating efficiency of the Pulangi IV hydro electric power plant, funding of the Agus VI hydro electric power plant and the Iligan Diesel Power Plant to its optimal operation power generating capacity.

She said the compounded efficient operations of these power generating facilities will contribute to the overall available power of the Mindanao Power Grid now and in the immediate future.

Dutete-Carpio also expressed hope on the interconnection between the Visayas and Mindanao grid, where surplus power from the geothermal power resources in Leyte will be passed to Mindanao.

She said that the RDC XI under her watch is able to come up a one-stop shop which makes easier for investors of mini-hydro power plants from five to 10 megawatt-capacity to get government nod to operate without going to the national agencies in Manila.

“Small hydro-power sources can also help in the power crisis in Mindanao,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She said her preference for renewable energy like the one generated by hydro-electric power plants is the reason why she pushed for the creation of one-stop-shop processing office for power investors.

Duterte-Carpio said that personally, she remains unsupportive of any coal-fired power plant because on its impact to environment and public health.

“My apprehension is not without basis.  There already plenty of experiences by first world countries on the downside of the coal-fired power plant which impacts particularly on the health of residents,” she said.  (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)