Koko wants probe on Mindanao power woes

MANILA, Philippines - As Mindanao folk continue to bear the costs and consequences of 10-hour daily power outages through a long, hot summer, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III called yesterday for immediate public hearings on the power situation in at least three major cities in the southern Philippines.

Pimentel suggested that the hearings be conducted in the cities of Davao, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro to get inputs from the stakeholders and local residents. 

Under-generation of electricity has persisted since 2010, contributing to economic slowdown and mounting economic and social costs.

The situation gets worse every summer, Pimentel said, when low water level affects the operation of hydropower plants that account for more than 50 percent of Mindanao’s total electricity needs.

Pimentel said the National Economic and Development Authority has identified the chronic power shortage as the “most binding constraint” to Mindanao’s economic growth and development.

“It is almost criminal negligence for the government not to be able to provide an efficient solution over the short and long term and tell our people when the situation will improve,” he said.

He added that people would cooperate “as long as they know that the solution is in sight and there is merit in making further sacrifices.”

“If they continue to grope literally in darkness, the government is courting rising social anger,” Pimentel said.

Mindanao is home to more than 25 million Filipinos (2010 census) and is a major agricultural hub, producing eight of the top 10 agricultural exports.