Aquino to switch on Negros solar farm today

BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter

SAN CARLOS City – President Benigno Aquino III is inaugurating today the 22-megawatt solar power plant of the San Carlos Solar Energy, Inc. (SACASOL) here.

He is officially opening, too, the new Himoga-an Bridge in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

Aquino will be joined by Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, SACASOL chairman Jose Maria Zabaleta, Thomas Lloyd chairman T.U. Michael Sieg, SACASOL president Jose Maria Zabaleta, and Thomas Lloyd executive director Anthony Coverney in the ceremonial switch-on of the SACASOL Phase 1 solar farm.

The solar farm is a partnership project of Thomas Lloyd Group and Bronzeoak Philippines, Inc. It is expected to improve Negros Occidental’s rural economy and stabilize its energy supply.

On the other hand, the completion of the 105-meter Himoga-an Bridge, which costs more than P310 million to construct, is seen to shorten travel time by “20 to 30 minutes” from the north going to Bacolod City.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson will join the President during the ceremonial drive-thru and unveiling of the marker at the bridge.

According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office, the bridge will also hasten the transport of agricultural products from farms to markets.

Sen. Loren Legarda is also joining the President’s Negros sortie today.

Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. of Negros Occidental said Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas is accompanying the President, too.

President Aquino is arriving around 9 a.m. at the New Bacolod-Silay Airport. He will take a helicopter to the Centermall football field in San Carlos City.

He is also scheduled to open the P335-million Sagay City diversion road.

Gov. Marañon said he hopes to also bring to the President’s attention the proposed one Negros Island – one region initiative.

“(But) I don’t want to pre-empt anything…it all depends on the President himself,” he said. “If there will be no chance to take up this and other concerns with the President, I will be ready with a letter stating the concerns of the province.” (With a report from Eugene Adiong/PN)