Press Release
May 9, 2014

Set public hearings on Mindanao power woes, Koko tells gov't

As Mindanaonons continue to bear the costs and consequences of 10-hour daily power outages through a long, hot summer, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today called for immediate public hearings in at least three major cities in the south on the power situation.

"Our people are angry," said Pimentel, pointedly observing that "this burden has gone on too long."

Pimentel further said, "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 that people would cooperate "as long as they know that the solution is in sight and there is merit in making further sacrifices."

Pimentel warned that, "If they continue to grope literally in darkness, the government is courting rising social anger."

The Mindanao-born solon identified Davao City, Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City as the possible venues for the public hearings as he warned against band-aid solutions.

Under-generation 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 pointed out that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has identified the chronic power shortages as the "most binding constraints" to Mindanao's economic growth and development.

Mindanao is home to more than 25 million Filipinos (2010 census) and is a major agricultural hub, producing eight of the top 10 agri-commodities exported from the Philippines.

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