Sen. Chiz Escudero this week slammed government for the lack of sufficient power facilities in the Visayas that hampers its development.
The government’s Power Development Plan, he said, forecasts that the region will require an additional 2,283 MW in the next five years on top of the current power demand of 967 MW.
"However, I don’t see how this forecast can be met," he said, noting that only three power plants are planned in the region in the next two years: two (436 MW) in Toledo City, Cebu; and one (165 MW) in Barangay Ingore, Iloilo City.
"The three plants can only provide a combined 601 MW, leaving a power deficit of 715 MW," he added.
Escudero noted that the biggest growth sectors in the Visayas, which have been tourism, manufacturing and information communication technology, especially in Cebu, may be affected if there is no corresponding increase in power supply.
Data from the Department of Tourism revealed that tourist arrivals in the Visayas, particularly regions 6 and 7 reached more than two million in 2008 with tourist receipts topping P10 billion.
NEDA figures show export earnings from the Visayas in 2007 rose to $4.9 million. The number of ICT firms reached 30 during the same year and created more than 12,000 jobs as of the first half of 2008.
Investments totaling P15.69 billion were also recorded in the region in 2007, mostly in Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental. /MP
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