Malacañang urges people in Mindanao to understand that their situation is different compared to those in Luzon and Visayas with regard to their electricity situation, as widespread blackouts continued there lasting from eight to 10 hours.
Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said that 50 percent of the electricity in Mindanao comes from hydroelectric power plants. Hydroelectric power plants are covered by the EPIRA law or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, which required these power plants in Mindanao, such as the Agus and Pulangui hydro-power plants, to be privatized, and to have fixed rates.
So far, there have been no investors interested in this offer, affecting the power situation in Mindanao.
Power supply in Mindanao is at an all time low and government expects that additional power supply would come in by next year, 2015, from those generated by new power plants.
Meanwhile, Malacanang also said that Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla still enjoys the confidence of President Aquino amid the continuing power crisis in Mindanao. (Eagle News Service)