Senator Sergio Osmeña III yesterday said he will raise the concern of Negros Occidental on the river service contacts hindering   investments in hydroelectric  power plants in Negros Occidental with Energy Secretary Jose Rene Alemndras.

However, Osmeña, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, who was informed by the DAILY STAR of the concern of Negrenses, said  he wants to  speak to Governor Alfredo Marañon first to get his facts right before  referring the matter to Almendras.

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, on Sunday called on the DOE to  act on the service contracts on the rivers of Negros Occidental that present a hindrance to the establishment of hydro power plants in the province.

They cited the urgent need for Negros Occidental to have its own power plants.

Jose Ma. Valencia, chief of staff of  Marañon Jr., last week said they are urging 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, it was told it was not automatic and the holders have to be given due process.

Marañon  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.

The governor yesterday said he would call Osmeña to discuss Negros Occidental’s concern.*CPG

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