VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ CALLS FOR THE EXCLUSION OF AGUS I AND 2 HYDROELECTRIC COMPLEXES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF BANGSAMORO GOVERNOR

Cagayan de Oro City – In the light of the impending privatization of the Agus-Pulangui Hydroelectric Power Complexes, Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez wrote to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., expressing his concern over the effect of such move to the cost of electricity in Mindanao.

Moreover, the Vice Governor also appeals to the Senator, whose committee tackles the Bangsamoro Basic Law, to look into Section 3 (15) Article V of the proposed organic law which states that “The Bangsamoro Government shall have authority to regulate power generation, transmission, and distribution operating exclusively in the Bangsamoro and not connected to the national transmission grid… When power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities are connected to the national transmission grid, the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government shall cooperate and coordinate through the intergovernmental relation mechanism.” Vice Governor Pelaez stressed that there should be a clear delineation as to which between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government should manage Lake Lanao, which plays a vital role in Mindanao’s power supply. The water of Lake Lanao, the country’s second largest lake, streams down to the Agus River generating the Agus Hydroelectric Power Plants.

Vice Governor Pelaez suggested that existing power structures such as Agus I and Agus II Hydroelectric Complexes, which are located In Lanao del Sur, should be excluded from the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro Government so that there will be no political and administrative hindrances to the supply of electricity for the whole of Mindanao. Moreover, Vice Governor Pelaez wants a clear protocol on who will be making decisions over the water source, saying that the proposed organic law did not specify mechanisms between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government, which could be a reason for conflict. He said that if the two entities fail to determine protocols, it can lead Mindanaoans to conflict over water.

There will be a big problem if this concern will not be addressed before passing the law. All Mindanaoans deservea stable, secured, low cost and environment-friendly power source, he added.

Vice Governor Pelaez together with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis oriental, express their strong support for the creation of Mindanao Power Corporation (MINPOCOR), the proposed Government Owned and Controlled Corporation that will own, manage, and operate the Agus-Pulangui Hydroelectric Power Complexes (APHC).

Vice Governor Pelaez also wrote to Senate Committee on Energy Chairman Senator Sergio R. Osmeña III, House Committee on Energy Chair Representative Reynaldo V. Umali, and Representatives Edgardo R. Masongsong of the 1Care Party List regarding the issues.