Palace says renewable energy already part of government's plan to address power problems
Shifting to renewable energy sources is already part of the Aquino government’s long-term plan to address the energy problem in the country particularly in Mindanao, a Palace spokesperson said on Saturday.
In a radio interview over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that while the government looks at adopting renewable sources of power it may come at a premium and may impact on consumers’ electricity bills.
Some of the government critics have been calling on the government to carry out short-term and immediate solutions to the Mindanao power crisis by resorting to renewable energy.
“Katulad po ng binanggit ni Pangulong Aquino kahapon, everybody is for renewable energy. It’s just that may premium yung renewable energy so marami pa tayong mga iba pang hinahanap na solusyon to address this [energy problem],” Valte said.
“That is part of the long-term plan: to include more and more projects that involve renewable energy. Remember the Department of Energy is also advocating alternative and renewable sources of energy. So that is already part of the plan.”
Valte also said the government is already accelerating the rehabilitation of hydropower plants in Mindanao, particularly the Agus and Pulangi plants.
Those plants were designed to work for 30 years but have been operating for about 59 years, way beyond its original life span, Valte noted. The rehabilitation of Agus plant will take about 30 months, while the Pulangi plant will take one month, she added.
Shifting to renewable energy sources is already part of the Aquino government’s long-term plan to address the energy problem in the country particularly in Mindanao, a Palace spokesperson said on Saturday.
In a radio interview over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that while the government looks at adopting renewable sources of power it may come at a premium and may impact on consumers’ electricity bills.
Some of the government critics have been calling on the government to carry out short-term and immediate solutions to the Mindanao power crisis by resorting to renewable energy.
“Katulad po ng binanggit ni Pangulong Aquino kahapon, everybody is for renewable energy. It’s just that may premium yung renewable energy so marami pa tayong mga iba pang hinahanap na solusyon to address this [energy problem],” Valte said.
“That is part of the long-term plan: to include more and more projects that involve renewable energy. Remember the Department of Energy is also advocating alternative and renewable sources of energy. So that is already part of the plan.”
Valte also said the government is already accelerating the rehabilitation of hydropower plants in Mindanao, particularly the Agus and Pulangi plants.
Those plants were designed to work for 30 years but have been operating for about 59 years, way beyond its original life span, Valte noted. The rehabilitation of Agus plant will take about 30 months, while the Pulangi plant will take one month, she added.
Changing weather has affected power generation in Mindanao as the region experiences erratic rain fall patterns, Valte said, noting that around half of the energy needs of Mindanao are filled up by hydropower plants.
“Because of climate change, of changing weather patterns, hindi na pareho ang rainfall noon at ang rainfall ngayon. So kung kumukonti po ang lebel ng tubig na bumabagsak doon sa Mindanao, mas konti ang nagagamit para dito sa mga hydropower plants natin,” she explained.
As a response, Valte said, the government is looking for other sources of electricity. She said there is a plant which will start operations in 2014 to supply the power needs of the region. The Palace spokesperson explained, however, that addressing the Mindanao power problems can’t be done overnight.
Putting up a plant takes time, she said, and investors have to follow government requirements and regulations before they are permitted to operate. Some projects may even take a year to process permits and documents before actual construction begins, she said.
“We were aware of this from the beginning which is why marami tayong mga ini-encourage na investors para pumasok doon at magtayo ng mga power plants,” Valte said.
Valte also expressed optimism that the energy summit attended by the President on Friday in Davao City could yield positive results after energy stakeholders and the government laid down their respective proposals to address the power problem in Mindanao.
She also appealed to people sowing misinformation, especially those who are saying that electricity prices will soar in Mindanao despite the present remedial measures. She said their action is not helping the situation. (PCOO)
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Malacanang elated over travel poll ranking Philippines 3rd with least rude locals
Malacanang expressed elation over the poll conducted by a travel search site ranking the Philippines as the 3rd among countries with least rude locals next to Brazil and the Caribbean.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday that the poll was conducted by travel search site, http://www.skyscanner.net.
"Of course, we are known worldwide for our hospitality at ang pagka-pleasant at pagka-polite natin. So, at least, this receives worldwide attention," Valte said.
Online voters, who visit the Skyscanner site to buy tickets or choose their holiday destination, rated the Philippines as among the three countries with the least rude locals.
The survey received over 1,200 responses, 65% from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, plus elsewhere in Europe, North America and Australia.
Skyscanner claims to be Europe’s leading travel search site, operating in over 25 languages with over 25 million visits and over 11 million unique visitors per month. It has offices in Edinburgh, Scotland and Singapore. (PCOO)
