‘DOE okay to hasten
Negros hydro power’
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Department of Energy has approved and is expected to release river service contracts soon to allow the start of a pre-feasibility study for the construction of hydro electric power plants early next year in the San Carlos and Don Salvador Benedicto areas in Negros Occidental, Jose Ma. Valencia, chief of staff of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said bureaucratic red tape, especially by the DOE in the previous administration, had delayed the development of hydro electric power in Negros Occidental.

The process for setting up of power plants should be hastened before it is too late, he said.

The Philippine National Police is now tapping the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group as well as the National Bureau of Investigation to identify the suspects and the motive behind the summary execution of three civilians Wednesday in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

There are reports that the suspects may belong to a “vigilante group”.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, however, said they have no suspects yet.

How many mayors of the fifth district of Negros Occidental will support the congressional bid of Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol today?

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said that at a caucus today the  United Negros Alliance is most likely to endorse  Mirasol as its official candidate for congressman of the  fifth district of Negros Occidental in the special election set June 2, with the announcement of Board Member Melvin Ibañez that he  is giving way  to him.

The fifth congressional seat was declared vacant following the death of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. on January 26.