The Regional Development Council 7 (RDC 7) is seeking stronger national government intervention to address Central Visayas’ worsening power supply situation while pushing for faster implementation of major infrastructure projects across the region.
During its third-quarter full council meeting in Carcar City on Sept. 30, the RDC 7 agreed to ask the Office of the President to declare a State of Power Emergency in Central Visayas upon the recommendation of the Department of Energy (DOE).
The proposed declaration comes amid recurring rotational brownouts and Red and Yellow Alert conditions affecting the Visayas Grid, with the council citing the region’s power supply deficiency as an urgent concern.
The RDC said the declaration could help the government fast-track short-term measures to stabilize electricity supply and facilitate the development and expansion of additional power generation facilities.
The council also called for the expedited implementation of priority transmission and substation projects of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in the Visayas to improve the reliability of the regional power system.
The Cebu Provincial Government is also exploring localized measures to help communities cope with the power situation, including the installation of solar panels in barangay centers.
The solar panel initiative has been included among the services barangay officials may avail of from the provincial government, providing communities with an alternative electricity source.
RDC 7 Chairperson and Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the region’s development challenges extend beyond the power situation and require stronger support for basic needs affecting communities.
She identified jobs, water, food, education, health, shelter and social protection as areas that need to be strengthened to support development and reduce poverty in Cebu and Bohol.
“We need to build and strengthen our beloved SugBohol from the ground up,” Baricuatro said.
She cited the province’s efforts to expand bulk water service operations, build people’s markets and advance province-wide healthcare integration, with other Cebu local government units already participating.
The RDC also advanced several infrastructure proposals involving flood control, roads, ports and regional connectivity.
Feasibility studies for dams along eight major rivers and the updating of the Metro Cebu Flood Control Master Plan have been included in the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program.
The council also endorsed the Consolacion-Liloan Bypass Road Project for inclusion in the Central Visayas Regional Development Investment Program and referred it to the Economy and Development Council-Investment Coordination Committee.
In Bohol, the RDC endorsed the implementation of the Manga Fish Port in Tagbilaran City to the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority.
Carcar City, meanwhile, presented its proposed P5 billion port development project and sought financial assistance for its implementation.
The Infrastructure Development Committee Secretariat said it would help facilitate possible funding and support for the Carcar port project, subject to the city government’s submission of the required documents.
The council also sought a definite timeline from the Department of Transportation for alternative financing to complete the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project following the partial cancellation of its World Bank loan.
It also sought clarification on the maintenance and security arrangements for facilities covered by Package 1 of the project.
Photo courtesy of Business Mirror
Comments