MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo declared yesterday a state of calamity in Mindanao after weeks of severe drought destroyed crops and put power plants out of service.
Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo said Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales informed him of Mrs. Arroyo’s decision as Mindanao’s generation deficiency has already reached over 700 megawatts.
In a separate interview, Mindanao Development Authority chairman Jesus Dureza said the President told him of her decision during their visit to Zamboanga del Norte.
There was no copy of the proclamation as of press time.
“The Department of Energy is hereby directed and authorized to take necessary measures to address and resolve the crisis expeditiously. All departments and government agencies concerned are directed to implement and execute appropriate programs in accordance with the existing operational plans, directives and orders issued in connection with the occurrence of this calamity,” a draft copy of the proclamation shown to reporters on Wednesday read.
Gonzales and Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes submitted to Mrs. Arroyo a draft proclamation for her signature after an emergency meeting of Cabinet officials at the National Disaster Coordinating Council headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said Mrs. Arroyo was fully aware of the “urgency of the power crisis in Mindanao” and was just making sure the situation was clearly explained in the proclamation.
He said he could not give specifics on the measures that would be put in place as a result of the declaration.
“Whatever solutions are available to the government in this situation, we will implement them as far as it allowed,” he said.
The Palace decided to resort to declaring a state of calamity after both chambers of Congress failed to muster a quorum for an emergency session.
An emergency session would have allowed both chambers of Congress to pass a joint resolution authorizing additional generation capacity.
The Electric Power Industry Reform (EPIRA) prohibits the government from generating additional power except during crisis.
Under a state of calamity, affected local governments can immediately tap their respective calamity funds or five percent of their budgets.
Olivar said such funds may be used for leasing generator sets.
Olivar warned that while rains are expected to come by June, it would take time before water levels in dams go back to normal levels to make hydroelectric power plants run properly.
Dureza said he is worried that as rivers continue to dry up, power plants might get damaged by silt and mud.
P10B fund
In Davao City, members of the House committee on energy pushed yesterday for the immediate release of P10-billion calamity fund.
The committee, chaired by Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel ‘Mikey’ Arroyo, held a public hearing on the crisis at the Apo View Hotel. The committee members were apparently still unaware of the Palace proclamation when they raised their recommendation.
“P5.5 billion of the total amount of P10 billion sought would be used to pay for the expenses in buying barges as well as the rental and lease of modular generators and the purchase of the needed fuel to run them,” Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Roridguez said.
He said the remaining P4.5 billion should go directly to farmers most affected by the dry spell.
“The money could be used to irrigate farms, cloud-seeding and other pertinent expenditures,” Rodriguez said.
Rep. Arroyo told The STAR they would have to check first if funds are available for immediate disbursement.
“We will try to work it out and find ways where we can get and fast track the release of the money and from what sources,” Rep. Arroyo said.
“There is an available P10 billion calamity fund and another P10 billion contingency fund that is available,” Rodriguez pointed out.
In his presentation during the committee hearing, Reyes said there are some constraints to government’s dealing with the crisis, including Section 47 of the EPIRA, which prohibits the National Power Corp. from entering into new power contracts.
Reyes also cited the lack of investments in power due to regulatory uncertainties, bureaucratic delays and even peace and order problem.
Speaker Prospero Nograles, for his part, reminded DOE’s Reyes that he has more than enough powers to address the power crisis in Mindanao, and that around P500 million in the 2010 national budget has been allocated for that purpose.
“The function of the energy secretary is to ensure electricity. He does not need our (Congress’) approval. He has enough powers given to him by EPIRA,” Nograles said. with Edith Regalado, Delon Porcalla, Rose Tamayo Tesoro, Donnabelle Gatdula
By Paolo Romero
(The Philippine Star)
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