Women and Children Lead Pipol's Power
to
Keep Agus Pulangi in People's Hands
Why are women and children leading the Pipol's Power Campaign?
In most households, women are balancing the budget and making ends meet. Balancing the budget has been increasingly difficult for women now with the drastic rise in our electricity bills, which now account for nearly 15 percent of the household budget. Sometimes, they are forced to choose between buying food and paying the electric bill; between tuition payments and payments to the utility company threatening to disconnect their electricity. They worry that if the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower will be sold to profit-driven private interests, their electric bill will rise even more.
The children are also protesting the selling of Agus-Pulangi Hydropower because they believe it is their natural heritage - nature's gift that must be enjoyed by all and preserved for future generations. They worry that they might not be able to enjoy the Agus and Pulangi Rivers and the beautiful Maria Cristina Falls if they are privatized. As it is, they can no longer afford to pay the 35 pesos entrance fee to visit the falls, they fear that with private owners, they will not be as free to access their natural heritage. A higher electric bill also threatens their
tuition
and "baon" (allowance) to school.
Why is it important to keep the Agus Pulangi Hydropower in people's hands?
One of Mindanao's competitive advantages is the relatively low cost of power because of our vast hydropower resources. The Maria Cristina Falls alone can generate multi-billion pesos worth of electric power a day if harnessed efficiently. Keeping that rich hydro power resource in public hands will ensure a reliable supply of electricity at stable rates for Mindanao's development for many generations -- without the added burden of private profits.
Why is the Philippine government pushing for privatization of Agus-Pulangi HydroPower?
The sale of public assets is being promoted as a cure-all for government budget deficits. But, behind the scenes, the push for privatization is driven by corporate interests that see an opportunity for huge profits. Besides, the sale of public assets provides only a one-time influx of cash but is not beneficial in the long-term. Plus there is no guarantee that the money from the sale will be used to benefit the people directly and not be lost to corruption.
How will privatization impact our electricity rates?
Private power costs more, at least 20 percent more. In a privatized electricity system, the price of electricity is driven up by the added costs of profits for the private owners, higher returns for the banks that finance private power projects and the fees of many consultants and brokers. Privatizing electric power turns over the setting of rates to private interests with no government regulation and control. This will bring higher and very unstable rates.
How will privatization affect Mindanao's economy?
With the host of problems facing Mindanao now -- poverty, armed conflict, natural disasters, food crisis, unemployment, to name some -- an electric power crisis brought about by high electricity rates will threaten Mindanao's fragile economic state. It will further erode the island's competitive advantage and discourage investments and tourism.
How will privatization impact Mindanao's struggle for self-determination and peace?
A country that does not own and control its own supply of electricity has limited sovereignty. Privatization opens doors to foreign ownership.
Mindanao's vast water resources used for hydropower -- Lake Lanao, Agus River, Pulangi River -- are all part of the Moro and Lumad peoples' natural and cultural heritage. Selling these resources to private corporations will violate their rights and deny their children and grandchildren access to their birthright.
That will definitely have an impact to the ongoing peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). If the Bangsa Moro people feel that their ancestral domain is being sold, this might lead to even more conflict in Mindanao.
How will privatization impact the environment?
Privately-owned electrical utilities are profit driven and will not undertake environmentally-responsible initiatives unless there is a lot of money to be made. A green economic recovery requires an environmentally-responsible, affordable and stable supply of electricity - something only a public system can provide.
Why is it important to keep the Agus Pulangi Hydropower in people's hands?
One of Mindanao's competitive advantages is the relatively low cost of power because of our vast hydropower resources. The Maria Cristina Falls alone can generate multi-billion pesos worth of electric power a day if harnessed efficiently. Keeping that rich hydro power resource in public hands will ensure a reliable supply of electricity at stable rates for Mindanao's development for many generations -- without the added burden of private profits.
Why is the Philippine government pushing for privatization of Agus-Pulangi HydroPower?
The sale of public assets is being promoted as a cure-all for government budget deficits. But, behind the scenes, the push for privatization is driven by corporate interests that see an opportunity for huge profits. Besides, the sale of public assets provides only a one-time influx of cash but is not beneficial in the long-term. Plus there is no guarantee that the money from the sale will be used to benefit the people directly and not be lost to corruption.
How will privatization impact our electricity rates?
Private power costs more, at least 20 percent more. In a privatized electricity system, the price of electricity is driven up by the added costs of profits for the private owners, higher returns for the banks that finance private power projects and the fees of many consultants and brokers. Privatizing electric power turns over the setting of rates to private interests with no government regulation and control. This will bring higher and very unstable rates.
How will privatization affect Mindanao's economy?
With the host of problems facing Mindanao now -- poverty, armed conflict, natural disasters, food crisis, unemployment, to name some -- an electric power crisis brought about by high electricity rates will threaten Mindanao's fragile economic state. It will further erode the island's competitive advantage and discourage investments and tourism.
How will privatization impact Mindanao's struggle for self-determination and peace?
A country that does not own and control its own supply of electricity has limited sovereignty. Privatization opens doors to foreign ownership.
Mindanao's vast water resources used for hydropower -- Lake Lanao, Agus River, Pulangi River -- are all part of the Moro and Lumad peoples' natural and cultural heritage. Selling these resources to private corporations will violate their rights and deny their children and grandchildren access to their birthright.
That will definitely have an impact to the ongoing peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). If the Bangsa Moro people feel that their ancestral domain is being sold, this might lead to even more conflict in Mindanao.
How will privatization impact the environment?
Privately-owned electrical utilities are profit driven and will not undertake environmentally-responsible initiatives unless there is a lot of money to be made. A green economic recovery requires an environmentally-responsible, affordable and stable supply of electricity - something only a public system can provide.
JOIN THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF MINDANAO IN THEIR FIGHT TO KEEP
HYDROPOWER IN PEOPLE'S HANDS!
Join the PIPOL'S POWER campaign on Facebook and Twitter and go to pledging stations being set up all over Mindanao.
Like us at http://www.facebook.com/pipolspowerproject
Join the PIPOL'S POWER campaign on Facebook and Twitter and go to pledging stations being set up all over Mindanao.
Like us at http://www.facebook.com/pipolspowerproject
Follow us at https://twitter.com/PipolsPower
Secretariat:
Mindanao Commission on Women
121 University Avenue, Juna Subdivision
Matina, Davao City
Tel no. (082) 298 4032 Telefax (082) 298 4031
Email ad: pipolspower@gmail.com
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