[In the news] Mindanao power crisis ‘worsening’ | Sun.Star

Mindanao power crisis ‘worsening’ | Sun.Star. By Jereco O. Paloma DAVAO CITY — AboitizPower Corp., the proponent of a P25-billion coal-fired power plant here, warned anew of the worsening power situation in Mindanao even as environmental groups questioned the shortage’s validity. In Friday’s final hearing of the City Council on the proposed 300-megawatt (MW) power…

Human Rights Online Philippines

May 7, 2011

1–2 minutes

City Council, Davao City, freedom of assembly, Mindanao, philippines, Power station, Power supply, Provinces, Right to development, Right to environment, Sun.Star

Mindanao power crisis ‘worsening’ | Sun.Star.

By Jereco O. Paloma

davao-coal-fired-power-plant — DAVAO. Oppositors of the Aboitiz-proposed coal-fired power plant stage a sit-down picket in front of the City Council building while a public hearing was ongoing inside Friday. (Seth delos Reyes). Sunstar.com.ph

DAVAO CITY — AboitizPower Corp., the proponent of a P25-billion coal-fired power plant here, warned anew of the worsening power situation in Mindanao even as environmental groups questioned the shortage’s validity.

In Friday’s final hearing of the City Council on the proposed 300-megawatt (MW) power plant, Aboitiz first vice president for Mindanao Manuel Orig said that since 2009, power shortage had increased significantly.

He said a third party study conducted by an international researcher shows an impending and present power shortage that is higher than what the Aboitiz had projected.

“Makita dyud namo na dili na makaya sa power supply ang power demand (It really shows the power supply cannot meet the demand),” Orig said.

However, Julan Suazo of the Foundation for Philippine Environment questioned the veracity of Aboitiz’ findings, saying there have been no concrete data validating the power firm’s claims of power shortage.

Suazo dared the City Council to come up with a decision free from bias and possible manipulation on the Aboitiz-proposed coal power plant.

Read full article @ Sunstar.com.ph