MikeLigalig.com

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo threshed out the sufficiency of electricity supply in Bohol and neighboring provinces with her Cabinet yesterday at the Panglao Island Nature Resort.

Almost all members of the President's Cabinet including Vice Pres. Noli de Castro, Gov. Erico Aumentado, Representatives Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Adam Jala tackled the meeting's single agenda which is the current energy requirement in the Visayas.

Heads of Chambers of Commerce in the Visayas were also invited into the full Cabinet session.

In the middle of the meeting, President Arroyo announced that she has requested the National Power Corporation (Napocor), the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) and distribution utilities in the region to lower some more the existing power rates.

Even with the high cost of transmitting power to the island-provinces from Leyte through submarine cables, the electric rates are still lower compared to Luzon and in Metro Manila, President Arroyo said.

The President said consumption in the next three years is expected to significantly increase.

Arroyo attributed this to the growth spurred by the tourism industry in the region.

Reviewing the power supply situation in the province, the President was appraised by Energy Sec. Angelo Reyes on the electricity requirements of about 6-percent when the Panglao Bohol International Airport will be operational in 2010.

Presently however, there is a supply surplus in the province, according to the report of Sec. Reyes.

The President asked for updates on current power generation projects in the region and how it will meet the need for more energy reserves.

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