It's summer again. Temperatures are still rising. Rain is seldom. Especially in Mindanao we have to live with several power interruptions - or, as it is called here "brownouts" (blackouts)! This is not new. I am living in Davao City since 1999...
Now we all have been informed, that the Mindanao Development Authority said that President Benigo Aquino has taken decisive action on the Mindanao power problem.
The first step was that President Aquino was set to meet with power industry stakeholders in Mindanao, including key local leaders in the island, to firm up parallel tracks of immediate and medium to long term solutions to the Mindanao power problem. The President wanted to personally convey specific measures taken by the government and the proposed steps needed to secure a reliable and sustainable Mindanao power generation.
Also Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III is calling on his fellow legislators from Mindanao to gather and act as one in coming up with solutions to the ongoing power crisis. The worsening power outages in Mindanao could lead to eight-hours power interruptions for a year or two.. Of course, it is leading already to a sharp decline in economy activities that might lead to losses of jobs and livelihood. And, this will heighten poverty in some Mindanao provinces and may create indeed pressures that may spark disruptions in Mindanao's peace and order.
The Mindanao power problem is very known since long time. We need to see deeds. But I am afraid, that the daily rotation brownouts like those we experienced from February to June in 2010 and also 2011 are expected to be implemented any time next month.
