The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be tapped to secure power transmission lines in Mindanao, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said Friday as he laid out the steps he would take to prevent more bombings of towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
“First, the military and police should be mobilized. Let them secure – round the clock if needed – the NGCP transmission lines and power facilities to avoid bombing on these infrastructures,” he said.
“Second, take a more proactive legal action against the people preventing the repair of these lines and equipment,” he added.
Moreover, Binay said right-of-way issues must also be properly addressed.
“If there are valid claims to be paid, then pay them. Otherwise, institute legal action to ensure that government is able to exercise its eminent domain powers and obtain right-of-way,” he said.
“We cannot just appeal for cooperation. Government must take the bull by its horns and act on the problem,” he added.
NGCP earlier warned that the Mindanao grid may collapse due to the continued refusal of landowners to allow entry to linemen who will repair toppled transmission towers.
The Vice President also unveiled his energy platform for Mindanao that aims to guarantee long-term energy supply and security.
He laid the groundwork for reforms in the energy sector based on five pillars: (1) Real assessment of demand and supply; (2) Achieve energy self-sufficiency through utilization of indigenous energy resources; (3) Create opportunities that will allow entry of more foreign and local investments in the energy industry; (4) Revisit statutory and policy framework on power and energy; and (5) Wider energy access through completion of electrification programs.
Binay vowed to appoint only competent people in the energy department to avoid any power crisis.
He said government can no longer afford to have a passive approach in resolving the power problems in Mindanao as he scored the Aquino administration for its “seeming inaction.”
“This is not the time to watch from the sidelines, fence-sit, and wait for people to cooperate. Government must take charge and address the problem of Mindanao power head-on,” Binay said.
“Since 2010, this government has not taken any firm action in helping the people of Mindanao who have languished in darkness every summer because of the multiple conflicts and issues relating to the Mindanao power situation,” he added.
The Vice President rued that while President Noynoy Aquino and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla asked Congress for emergency powers last year when it seemed Luzon would experience power supply shortage during the summer months, the administration never sought similar legislative intervention for Mindanao.
“Sa simula pa lamang nang umupo ang gobyernong eto, hindi na naiayos ang problema sa Mindanao. ‘Yong madaliang desisyon ay hindi nagawa. Ngayon, patuloy na nagdurusa ang ating mga kapatid sa Mindanao,” he said.
“Dahil sa teka-teka at kawalan ng aksyon, hindi tuloy napabilis ang pagtayo ng mga planta, naiayos agad ang mga lumang planta at naparami ang supply ng kuryente sa Mindanao. Ngayon, heto na naman tayo. Linya naman ang problema at ang ginawa lang ng administrasyong ito ay umapela sa mga taga-Mindanao. Hindi uubra iyan,” he added.