Group to tap 21M people to buy Mindanao power plants

By Michael Andrew W. Yu

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

IN AN attempt to block the government’s plan to privatize the operation and facilities of Mindanao power plants as part of the present administration’s effort to solve the power crisis in the region, the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) is initiating the “Pipol’s Power Campaign” to generate funds to buy these power plants.
In a statement, MCW said it is targeting 21 million people who would donate P50 each and gather around a billion pesos as seed fund to finance the buy-out for Agus and Pulangi hydro power plants. The campaign was reportedly launched on Saturday in Davao City.


The government, reports said, released proposals to private entities to rehabilitate and operate said power plants due to “management inefficiency.”


The group said they aim to pressure President Benigno Aquino III not to sell the hydropower plants to private individuals.


MCW, a group composed by Muslim, Christians and indigenous women leaders in Mindanao, would mobilize local residents in the region and those abroad to pledge a share.


“Each one should pledge at least P50 to be able to raise a total of P1 billion. There will be two tracks in getting for pledges through online and at pledging stations. The online the campaign will be social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and SMS (text message) and a website to be created,” the group said.
If mobile, aiding individuals may visit pledging stations at offices, schools, hospitals and houses when the campaign formally kicks off.


The group also said bracelets would be given to each person who pledges such amount as indication that would show the number of people already involved in the campaign.


“This is to make the President realize how much support there is for moves on non-privatization,” the statement added.


MCW said steering committees would be created at cities and provinces in Mindanao. Cagayan de Oro and Davao are already in the process of establishing their respective committees. Chambers of commerce, electric cooperatives, environment groups, the diocesan social action centers, among others, are welcome to join.
The MCW would serve as the campaign secretariat. Thousands of volunteers are needed for the movement.


As his pledge of support, Misamis Oriental Vice Governor Norris Babiera, author of a provincial board resolution against the privatization of the two hydropower plants, expressed support to the campaign.


“If they will ask me for pledges, I will give,” he told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro Monday, and expressed hope for the legitimacy and transparency of the campaign.

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on May 09, 2012.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2012/05/08/group-tap-21m-people-buy-mindanao-power-plants-220421?sort=asc&order=Combinations