Sale of solar power to
Visayas grid starts
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The first commercial scale solar plant in the Philippines in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, began selling power to the Visayas grid yesterday, Jose Maria Zabaleta Sr., San Carlos Solar Energy Inc. chairman, said.

Zabaleta said the SACASOL solar plant at the San Carlos Ecozone in San Carlos City began selling 13 megawatts to the grid, and will sell 9 more by the end of the month.

SACASOL will deliver power to the grid during peak hours displacing more expensive diesel and bunker generated electricity, which will help bring down the average cost of power rates to consumers, he said.

Guv raising island
region bid to PNoy
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday that if he gets the chance, he will take up the call for the creation of the Negros one-island region with President Benigno Aquino III during his visit to Negros Occidental tomorrow.

The president will be in the province to inaugurate the first commercial scale solar plant in the Philippines in San Carlos City, and a road and bridge in Sagay City.

Among those joining the President in his visit to Negros is Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, the governor said.

Protest set vs.
Aquino in Negros
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

Farmers under Task Force Mapalad will welcome President Benigno Aquino III with a protest rally as he arrives in Negros Occidental tomorrow, its deputy coordinator,Lani Factor, said yesterday.

Factor said they hope to have a dialog with Aquino and discuss with him how his administration will distribute the remaining lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reform in Negros Occidental before his term ends in 2016.

She said when the farmers had a dialog with Aquino in 2012 he assured them that they can communicate with him anytime regarding their concerns on CARPER but apparently the farmers have found it difficult to raise their concerns with the President.