Meeting with NGCP, DOE set on March 5

THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and Department of Energy (DOE) are expected to present the power situation in the province on March 5.

Negros Occidental Third District Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko said they are meeting with the representatives of the DOE and NGCP, which is part of the series meeting with various sectors relative to the proposed banning of coal-fired power plant in the province.

Ko said that the hearing would be the second to the last to be conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) committee on energy.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. earlier submitted to the Provincial Board a proposed ordinance making Negros Occidental as coal-free province.

The SP, however, has not yet decided on it citing the need to consult various stakeholders in the energy and environment sectors.

“Through this meeting, we hope to have a clearer picture of the power situation in the province,” he added.

The Board Member recalled that during the previous hearings they have conducted, majority of the power supply of three electric cooperatives in the province are sourced from coal plants.

“Maybe after the hearings we would come up with the report the same with the committee on environment, which will also conduct its hearings,” Ko said.*