Gov’t must invest more in power, infra in Mindanao — Legarda

NP-NPC-LDP VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE LOREN LEGARDA RENEWED HER CALL FOR GOVERNMENT TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLEAN SOURCES OF POWER IN THE ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA AND MINDANAO IN GENERAL TO ALLOW MINDANAOANS TO TAP THEIR RICH RESOURCES.
“Mindanao is home to the poorest provinces in the country. Ironically, it is the wealthiest in terms of natural resources,” Legarda, who aims to be a “green VP,” said.
Legarda lamented that the Arroyo administration has made no investments in energy for Mindanao for the last 10 years, including this year, despite a huge P1.5 trillion national bugdet.
She vowed that she and running mate Manny Villar will focus on the full implementation of the Renewable Energy Law and the full economic and social development of Mindanao.
“The President signed the RE law in 2008. That law is aimed at making the country 60-percent sufficient in energy by this year,” she said. “But it’s already 2010 and what do we have? Ten-hour brownouts in Mindanao.”
Legarda, who co-authored the Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA) Act, added that for peace to be achieved in Mindanao, there must be economic and social development.
“For Mindanao to develop, we must first provide them with basic needs: infrastructure and social services like education and health,” said Legarda.