DAVAO CITY, Nov 7 — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday said Mindanao is looking at full recovery in terms of power, with the region set to have an “energy surplus” by 2015.
“In fact, the region might even have power security ahead of Luzon,” the Chief Executive said during his speech at the Philippines Development Forum on Bangsamoro held here.
He noted that by next year, several major power plants will finally come online, among them the 300-megawatt Coal-Fired Therma South Energy Power Plant in Davao del Sur, and the 200-megawatt Southern Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant in Sarangani.
“These two plants, among others, put us on track to have an energy surplus in Mindanao by 2015,” he added.
Citing some major developments in Mindanao, President Aquino said the region is in the process of transforming from being a Land of Promise to being a Land of Promises Fulfilled.
He said that there has also been “a sea of change” in terms of business interest in Mindanao.
In the Davao Region alone, he said, inbound missions of companies from Japan, China, Korea, and other members of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines–East ASEAN Growth Area have drastically increased.
“On top of this, we have heard of plans to expand and diversify from several companies from vastly different industries—from energy, to coconut products, to palm oil and various other consumer products,” he said.
“Indeed, more than at any other point in history, the Mindanao we all aspire for is within reach. The progress is palpable, and it is apparent that our efforts are having a profound effect,” the President added. (PCOO-PND)
