Hi Alex thanks for the article
Citing reports from Mindanao local executives, Liberal Party senatorial bet Atty. Alex "Pinoy" Lacson questioned the use of the billion peso power crisis calamity fund in Mindanao by administration candidates, who are allegedly buying rice and other amenities instead of using the fund to solve the worsening blackouts in the region.
Lacson said Mindanao local executives revealed this to him in his consultations with them a few days ago. Lacson said he fears that the calamity fund will totally be misused and redirected towards buying of votes.
“Mindanao executives are threatening to protest this improper use of the funds, and I totally support them, “ says the civil society leader.
In his visits to the provincial capitols in Mindanao last week, Lacson noted that "in every place, there were six to ten hours of blackouts every day, affecting businesses and residents alike. It's a disaster, and coming just before the national elections, is clearly an issue of national importance." Lacson was informed that despite promises made by the Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), even the new PNOC geothermal project in Mt. Apo could not adequately cover the electricity requirements of the most badly-hit areas.
Reports have reached Lacson that administration-backed local candidates are using the power crisis calamity fund to buy thousands of cavans of rice, food stuffs and even appliances instead of using the calamity fund to buy generator sets. Out of the 10 billion pesos calamity fund, every province was allotted close to 1 billion pesos each to buy or lease generator sets.
Lacson bewailed the total lack of central planning in addressing the power crisis. He shared the opinion of the Mindanao local executives that the national government failed to anticipate the growing energy requirements of Mindanao.
“Mindanao is growing both economically and socially. The Arroyo administration should have anticipated that its energy requirements would actually increase. Evidently, there was no planning.”
Lacson shared the view of Mindanao-based executives of the need to provide short-term solutions such as buying power barges. Long-term solutions include exploring other energy sources, such as wind, building geothermal plants and rehabilitating existing plants.
"We can no longer afford to live in the dark ages. Kailangan tutukan ito ng ating mga opisyales at bantayan ng taong bayan para hindi nanaman manakaw ang pondong kinakailangan ng Mindanao. Let's literally and figuratively shine a light on this issue," Lacson said.
