3 mills get P5B boost
to fight AFTA impact
BY CARLA GOMEZ

KABANKALAN CITY - Universal Robina Corp. is investing P5 billion in its three mills in Negros Island this year to produce, not only sugar, but power and fuel to cushion the impact of the country’s full integration into the Asean Free Trade Area by 2015.

Lance Gokongwei, URC president and chief executive officer, said this yesterday when he led the time capsule laying ceremony for a 46 MW biomass fired power plant at URC’s Southern Negros Development Corp. site here that will cost P2.5 billion, and will be exporting electricity to the national grid soon.

URC is supporting the government’s programs to achieve energy self sufficiency and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, by utilizing renewable energy resources that promote health safety and the protection of environment, he said.

‘Biomass plant will
ease power shortage’
BY CARLA GOMEZ

KABANKALAN CITY -- Energy Assistant Secretary Daniel Ariaso Sr. said here yesterday that the 46 MW biomass fired power plant being built by Universal Robina Corp. at its Southern Negros Development Corp. site will soften the impact of an impending power shortage in Negros Occidental.

Ariaso, who joined the time capsule laying ceremony for the plant, said, that to sustainably support the economic activities of Negros Occidental, the energy sector must be able to harness natural resources that will be able to address the current power demands.

“This biomass plant is an example of how the energy sector adapted to the economic landscape of the region,” he added.

Sandigan sets conditions
for Monico’s travel
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has resolved to grant Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella’s “Motion for Leave of Court to Travel Abroad” dated March 11 subject to several conditions, among them that he will allow himself to be conditionally arraigned on March 25.

Puentevella was also required to deposit with the Court P90,000 in cash as travel bond to guarantee faithful compliance with the terms and conditions imposed on him, based on the resolution signed by Justices Gregory Ong, Jose Hernandez and Maria Cristina Cornejo.

The Court will issue a separate final resolution authorizing Puentevella’s travel after he has complied with the requirements in items 1 and 2, by allowing himself to be conditionally arraigned on March 25 and by depositing the travel bond.