PB-Negros Occidental slams EDC

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — “The Energy Development Corporation had bastardized our forest,” said Provincial Board Member Miller Serondo (2nd district, Negros Occidental), as he alleged that the power firm failed to deliver its promise to the people of the province.

Serondo slammed EDC: “It doesn’t care. It has a moral obligation to us after cutting several hundreds of century-old trees in our natural park.”

`It has been widely-publicized in the news that EDC was supplying Negros Oriental with 40 megawatts of power, he lamented over the situation of Negros Occidental.

After failing to achieve its goal when EDC entered Mount Kanlaon Natural Park, the firm was gone, said Serondo. “It has a successful exploration in Negros Oriental, why can’t it do that in Occidental?” he asked.

Earlier, EDC dismantled its 49-megawatt Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant at Barangay Mailum in Bago City, Negros Occidental after failing to generate its target power. The firm then transferred its facilities to its plant in Palinpinon, Valencia of Negros Oriental.

PB Member Patrick Lacson (3rd district, Negros Occidental), chair of the environment committee, said EDC officials confirmed that they will appear in the session next Wednesday to address the pressing concern.

Lacson said environmental groups have been urging his committee to penalize EDC for not delivering its promise to the people of Negros Occidental. He however said the NNGPP is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and that the PB can only gave concurrence to the project.

“I don’t think we can impose sanctions,” said Lacson, while assuring the groups his committee will conduct further study on the matter. (FREEMAN)