Business leaders yesterday called on two national government agencies to step up the development of hydro electric power in Negros Occidental and the sale of the Capitol property in Bacolod City to Ayala Land, saying inaction on these is a hindrance to the development of the province.

Frank Carbon, president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Ben Ortega, president of the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Department of Energy should act on the service contracts on the rivers of Negros Occidental and the Commission on Audit should come out with a ruling on the sale of the provincial government property in Bacolod City to AyalaLand to spur development.

Jose Ma. Valencia, chief of staff of Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., last week said they are urging Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras to act now on service contracts granted by the DOE before Negros Occidental loses serious investors in much- needed hydro electric plants.

The building of hydroelectric power plants in Negros Occidental has been stalled by service contracts granted for almost all the rivers in the province by the DOE to firms that have not even been seen in the province, he said.

Valencia said the DOE said the service contracts were to expire on October 23, but when the provincial government followed up on their cancellation they were told it was not automatic and the holders have to be given due process.

Marañon yesterday said the service contracts on the rivers of Negros Occidental were granted during the previous administration when the DOE was headed by the late Secretary Angelo Reyes.

He said the need to develop hydroelectric power in the province is urgent, because lack of power supply is a hindrance to development.

Carbon said Negros Occidental is the only province that does not have its own power plant and it is urgent that the DOE help hasten the construction of hydro electric power plants in Negros Occidental to spur development.

Ortega said the DOE must act swiftly, before potential investors in hydro power are turned off and invest elsewhere.

Meanwhile, complaints were also aired on the Commission on Audit’s review of the contracts for the lease and sale of the 7.7-hectare property of the Negros Occidental provincial government to Ayala Land Inc.

The delay has been nearly six-month, the contracts had been sent to the COA in August last year yet.

Carbon and Ortega said there should be swifter action on the matter.

Marañon said funds from the sale of the property will be used to improve education in rural areas, provide livelihood opportunities and alleviate poverty, attend to health needs, and ensure food security in Negros Occidental.*CPG

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