IT IS becoming apparent that DOE Secretary Jose Rene Almendras is biased against the development of renewable energy resources in the Philippines, and it is becoming apparent that his bias against RE is because RE-based power plants are going to displace oil- and coal-fueled power plants, in which the Secretary appears to have vested interest.
In the Manila Bulletin article below by Myrna Velasco (which should have been written as an opinion column rather than a factual report; she interposes a number of unattributed opinions about energy issues in her article), Secretary Almendras says that some business groups in Mindanao are opposing the proposal to construct 100 MW of solar PV power plants in Mindanao. What he did not say is that the only business groups in Mindanao who are opposing solar PV and other renewable energy resources are the owners and proponents of oil-fueled and coal-fueled power plants.
And Sec. Almendras cites the increase in rates as the reason for the opposition, rather than the true reason for the opposition by these generating companies, which is that the electric energy from the RE-based power plants will displace the production of the existing fossil-fueled power plants, and thereby reduce the earnings of the owners of these conventional power plants.
The Secretary also does not mention that if massive development of RE-based power plants is started in Mindanao, it will make unnecessary the coal power plant proposed for Davao City, and strongly supported by Secretary Almendras.
Here is a statement made by Sec. Almendras during a public forum in Davao City, quoted in the EdgeDavao, Vol. 4, No. 28, Sept. 12-18, 2011: “All the coal projects are having difficulties because of opposition citing environmental concerns. We will have brownouts in 2014. Don’t blame me if you don’t want coal.”
Secretary Almendras is being hypocritical in his concern about the rate impact of solar PV on Mindanao customers. While he is placing obstacles into the implementation of the National Renewable Energy Program, he is pushing the PSALM to accelerate the privatization of the hydro power plants on the Agus and Pulangi rivers. He knows that the rate impact of the privatization of Agus-Pulangi will be an increase in the rates of Mindanao customers in the amount of one to two pesos per kilowatt-hour (PhP 1.00 to 2.00 per kWh).
He also knows that the rate impact of 100 MW solar PV power plant in Mindanao will be an increase in the amount of 2.28 centavos per kWh (Php 0.0228/kWh). And yet he insists that customers in Mindanao are against solar PV because of their impact on rates. Who are those customers, Mr. Secretary?
All advocates of renewable energy resources should start campaigning for the removal of Sec. Almendras from the Department of Energy. While he remains in the DOE, which is mandated to accelerate the implementation of the National Renewable Energy Program, he will continue to put up obstacles, both actual and imaginary, to the development of RE resources in the Philippines.
And all power consumers in Mindanao should likewise start campaigning for the replacement of Sec. Almendras by a more Mindanao-friendly secretary. He is saying “no way” to 100 MW solar PV power plants for Mindanao, despite knowing that solar PV will help assuage the impending power shortage in Mindanao, that they are the fastest power plants that could be made operational, and that their impact on rates in Mindanao will be a mere 2.28 centavos compared with the 6 centavos to one peso per kWh increase that would result from the construction of 100 MW of diesel-fueled power plants.
Down with DOE Secretary Jose Rene Almendras! Up with Renewable Energy for Mindanao!
Dave Tauli
Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Police names 2 suspects in trader's kidnapping
Friday, September 30, 2011
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed the identity of the two suspects who are allegedly involved in the kidnapping of businessman Manny Boniao last September 19.
Police Chief Superintendent Jufel C. Adriatico, PNP-Northern Mindanao director, identified the two suspects as Abdul S. Raco and Malik M. Guro, both residents of Marawi City.
Adriatico said they have already filed criminal cases against the two suspects before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
Raco and Guro are allegedly with four other suspects who abducted Boniao inside his establishment in Barangay Gusa Monday last week.
Boniao was later released September 24.
CAGAYAN. Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Jufel Adriatico revealed to the members of the media, two of the six suspects who kidnapped businessman Manny Boniao last September 19 this year. Boniao was released by his abductors five days later. (Joey P. Nacalaban)
Adriatico said the two suspects were positively identified by some witnesses.
“Our complaint was based on tactic identification and on actual accounts of the witnesses,” he said.
Adriatico said they are presently hunting down the suspects, including those who are not yet identified.
With this, he urged the public to report any information they know related to the case.
“We will capture them early if the public will help us,” Adriatico said, as he thanked his men for giving their best in solving the case as soon as possible.
Adriatico said they will also include in the filing of criminal case the owner of the red Mitsubishi Adventure used by the suspects in abducting Boniao.
“After reviewing the case report submitted by the investigator, I found out that the vehicle owner should also be included in the case,” he said.
The vehicle is owned by Abdul Hakim Grande but reportedly sold it to Enrique Goltiao on September 15, four days before the abduction.
But Adriatico said Goltiao failed to produce the necessary documents to prove ownership of the vehicle.
“Goltiao will be included in the amended charges. Even the City Fiscal attests that it is right to include the vehicle owner for the kidnapping case,” Adriatico said.
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper
Friday, September 30, 2011
Philippine Markets: 30 September 2011
30 September 2011
USD/PhP: 43.84 PSEi: 3,999.65 +122.02
USD/JPY: 76.65 PFINC: 917.78 + 28.08
EUR/USD: 1.3559 BDO: 51.00 + 2.10
GBP/USD: 1.5605. BPI: 55.80 + 2.30
PDSTF3M: 2.9627 MBT: 67.00 + 1.70
Prices as of 12:00pm Source: Bloomberg, Reuters
Philippine Interest Rate Outlook
Secondary money market rates were lower this week as risk aversion wanes
On positive sentiments coming out of the Euro Zone.
Continue to expect rates to remain volatile in the near- term.
Philippine Equities Outlook
Local share prices rose 2.90 percent week-on-week to 3999.65 as risk aversion
wanes on positive developments from the Euro zone in order to save Greece from
Default.
Chart wise, the week's close at 3999.65 is viewed as a mere rebound. A clear break
above 4,250 is needed to put the bulls back to play. Failure for the market to test said
levels could call for a retest of the 3,800 levels.
Philippine Peso Outlook
The local currency depreciated for the fifth straight week to 43.84(as of 12:00pm) .
This is primarily due the US dollar continued strength against the regional
currencies as global Risk aversion persists in the near-term.
Chartwise, with the currency's continued stay above the 43. 60 levels,
supports last week's view call for s near-term test of the 44.00-44.50 levels in the near-term.
Cheers,
Jonas
Jonathan L.Ravelas
Chief Market Strategist
BDO Unibank, Inc.
Direct: +6328583145
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