By Arabella Asis
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) confirmed on Monday, May 1, that the power crisis in Occidental Mindoro has been resolved after the approval of operating the San Jose, Magsaysay, Rizal, Calitaan (SAMARICA) power plant.
“Meron hong tatlong planta na gumagana so total na 32 megawatts, so covered na po ang 29 megawatts na requirements sa Occidental Mindoro,” NEA Administrator Antonio Almeda said during the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday.
The province of Occidental Mindoro suffered from a prolonged power shortage with only four hours of electricity per day due to limited power supply in the area.
Almeda cited the budget restriction of the National Power Corporation to cover the subsidy cost and the complications in the provisions of the contract between the Energy Regulatory Commission as the main factors of the shortage.
Prior to the opening of SAMARICA, the Department of Energy issued a certificate of exemption for the Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative to conduct an emergency power supply agreement.
However, the initial agreement would result in an increase in the electricity rate in the area.
“Kung saka-sakaling itutuloy namin yung emergency power supply agreement ma-e-expose ho ang mga taga-Occidental Mindoro sa mahal na kuryente,” NEA Administrator Antonio Almeda explained.
Almeda set an appointment with Occidental Mindoro Consolidated Power Corp. owner Luis Manuel Banzon to create a better solution to the crisis that led to the utilization of SAMARICA.
Currently, the province is utilizing three power plants: Sablayan, Mamburao, Paluan, Sta. Cruz, and Abra de Ilog and SAMARICA which provide a 24-hour electric supply to the province. – gb