Not in Senate, Please!

A few days ago, Davaoenos did an impromptu but fitting tribute to the late Sen. Vicente “Ting” Paterno whose cremated ashes were flown to the city. He served distinctively Mindanao while both in the public and private sectors. What is interesting to note is that before his impending death, he specifically wished that his remains be brought to Mindanao before his interment. No, he did not ask to be honored in the Senate. Perhaps the venerable late gentleman must have considered the Senate floor NO longer honorable or “hallowed” ground given what is happening there nowadays. I’m sad for his passing. And more sad for the Senate.
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WORRISOME — A few days ago, I met Cong. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City in Manila at Sen. Paterno’s wake. He is chairman of the House committee doing nation-wide consultations on the draft bangsamoro basic law of the MILF peace agreement. He confided to me that certain substantive provisions may be substantially altered or amended and may vary the terms of what was originally agreed upon between the government and the MILF peace panels. There is concern on how MILF will react. I advised him to actively involve the MILF in what is going on in Congress so they will understand, and perhaps accept the final outcome. In short, peace negotiations have not ended as yet. It is a continuing, incremental process.
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YES TO COAL — The city council of Iligan City just a few days ago gave its support to the construction of a 20MW embedded coal-fired plant in that city. The acute power shortage we are facing in Mindanao and nationwide urgently needs more generating capacities. Like Davao City, Iligan stakeholders were convinced how an existing 210 MW coal power plant of STEAG located outside of Cagayan de Oro effectively deals with the environmental concerns of air pollution and other issues over the years. Moreover, the consumers must have reckoned that having NO power is MORE detrimental than operating a coal plant.
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RENEWABLE — There is no doubt that ideally, we must get power from renewable sources like water, wind and the sun. Or from geothermal. It is cheap power and “clean”. There is good news that SM NORTH MALL in Quezon City has just launched a 1.5 MW solar power to operate the mall. This is the way to the furure. However, these renewable energy sources, at our present day and age, are just NOT capable and able to supply ALL our needs, not to mention that they are expensive to install — more expensive than coal plants.
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REALITIES — With renewable energy sources, there are however undeniable realities. For instance, El Nino or lack of water due to climate change can disrupt hydro plants. We are seeing this happening today in Mindanao, During nighttime and cloudy days, the sun does not give solar power. And not all areas are windy enough for consistent and dependable windmill operations. Thermal power can be drawn only from limited volcanic areas.
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TRANSITIONAL —Coal-fired plant is the next best thing. It must take care of the slack for the moment. “Dirty” coal, by sheer necessity, is the indispensable “transitional” power source for mankind before we can find the adequate technology and capacity to fully go renewable. What is important, during this transition period, is that we minimize coal’s “dirty” effect on the environment. By the way, this is where the “antis” are helping pressure for more mitigating measures. Somehow we are seeing some progress in this now. Yes, we can still do more. But the alternative to all this is LACK OF POWER. The choice of course is clear!