EDC: Geothermal project to continue PB-Negros Occidental wants another MOA

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Energy Development Corporation is still pursuing its 6- to 8-megawatt geothermal power plant project, which may start in 2015, according to Dwight Maxino, vice president of EDC’s Negros Island Geothermal Business Unit.

Maxino told the Negros Occidental Provincial Board, in its regular session on Wednesday, technical assessment on the project is still going on to determine its feasibility, adding that its construction may take 24 months.

The PB, in turn, urged the EDC to come up with another memorandum of agreement between the provincial government and the company regarding the geothermal plant at Barangay Mailum in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Maxino and other EDC officials faced the PB to answer queries about the firm’s moral obligation on its Northern Negros Geothermal Project that was unsuccessful to generate its target power.

PB Member Miller Serondo, who lamented that the provincial government could not do anything to penalize EDC for its failed project, said the power firm “should be aware that we’re vigilant of their work here in the province.”

Serondo said. “EDC has a moral obligation to the people of Negros Occidental after they cut century-old trees in our forests. As of now, the beneficial effects of the century-old cut trees could not be replaced.” Even if EDC had reforested the areas, Serondo pointed out that “it would take years for trees to grow old.”

Maxino responded by saying that he will have to take up with the EDC management first the proposal of the PB.

Serondo also asked the EDC official why the firm was unable to submit to the PB its status reports of the failed project. Maxino, however, said the EDC submitted its reports to the PB committee on oversight and compliance, which was chaired at the time by then PB Member Mae Javellana.

Serondo further told EDC to have regular reporting of its activities on the buffer zone, on a quarterly basis. “EDC should inform the PB what is happening in the area,” he added.

Maxino the told the PB the EDC has gone beyond compliance with the previous MOA by planting on more than a thousand hectares at the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park and the Northern Negros Natural Park.

Noreen Bautista, community partnership head for Negros, said EDC had spent P7 million in 2013 on its corporate and social responsibility projects, and that the firm has been continuously implementing its comprehensive health, education, livelihood and environment projects in the province. (FREEMAN)