INTRODUCTION
We have just switched on this 70-megawatt power plant in Limay, Bataan. The symbolism of opening a power plant on an Easter Sunday, following a Black Saturday, is important. Without diminishing the sanctity of Christianity’s holiest day, we draw a parallel between Christ’s re-emergence into a bright dawn after three days of darkness in the tomb, and this lighting ceremony here today. This is not to say that we are totally out of the dark, and that we have solved the power crisis. But with the opening of this plant, we have taken yet another concrete step towards solving our brownout problem.

There is added significance to this occasion because this is happening in Bataan, where 51 years ago death and suffering followed the defeat of the Filipino-American forces but which in 1993 hosts great opportunities for our economic growth. On this fine Easter Sunday, in step with the rest of the Christian world although in a different but equally inspiring context, we continue to move towards the light of a brighter future.
1993 POWER PROJECTS
Let me summarize what specific measures are being taken in this direction by this administration.

In January, we conducted ground-breaking rites for a 105-MW fast-track diesel power project in Pinamucan, Batangas City.

Also in January, we broke ground for the 105-MW diesel power project in Subic Bay.

In February, we broke ground for the 700-MW coal-fired power project in Pagbilao, Quezon. This is the biggest power project so far undertaken by the national power corporation to ease the power shortage in Luzon.

On March 29, construction work was finally started on the long-delayed 300-mw Calaca II Coal-Fired Thermal Power Project in Batangas.

On March 31, we switched on the gas turbine 100-MW power plant ii in Navotas.

And two weeks from now, the first 25-MW unit (of four units) of the Pinamucan, Batangas project will also be switched on.

On June 26, we break ground for the first major private sector undertaking in power generation, a 200-MW plant at Bauang, La Union, under the first private power corporation.

We shall add further capacity to the Luzon grid in May, June, July, September and December this year through fast-track and regular base-load power projects that are currently ongoing.

Later today in this same town, we shall recommission the long-deadlined Bataan Thermal Power Plant II, good for 150 MW, after extensive repair and overhaul.

Hence, Luzon shall have more than 900 additional new megawatts by the end of 1993.
OLD POWER PLANTS
In addition, the National Power Corporation is rushing the repair and rehabilitation of existing power plants that have been breaking down due to machine fatigue, overuse, and plain old age.

It is important that NAPOCOR improve its operations and maintenance (O&M) systems in these aged and ailing plants. More efficient O&M should reduce the frequency of plant breakdowns and maximize generating capability.

Let us also get our hydro-electric plants working more efficiently in expectation of a longer rainy season. This is the reason for giving top priority to the rehabilitation of the Ambuklao, Binga, Magat and Pantabangan power systems in the Luzon grid.
NAPOCOR REORGANIZATION
On May 1, 1993 the top NAPOCOR management will change hands. I have designated Dean Francisco Viray of the UP College of Engineering, whose expertise is in electric power management, to replace a hardworking professional, Pablo Malixi, as president of the corporation. I wish to take this opportunity to recognize the dedicated performance of Mr. Malixi, who unselfishly and untiringly gave of himself in what was obviously a thankless job pressed upon him by my distinguished predecessor, President Aquino. I thank you, Pabling Malixi, on behalf of our people.

I likewise commend the new NAPOCOR chairman, Secretary Delfin Lazaro for effectively steering NAPOCOR’s board during this difficult period. Now I ask the officers and staff of NAPOCOR to support their new leadership and board who have been handed an equally daunting challenge. The NAPOCOR rank and file and field managers deserve our appreciation. I have seen them in action in many remote and lonely areas. They have stuck to their jobs performing under the most difficult circumstances.

But let us also terminate, eliminate and punish the scalawags in the NAPOCOR and continue to straighten out the policy and financial problems that plague the entire energy and power sector.
POWER AND PROGRESS
Just last week, we started to put into good use some 104 mini-hydro power units to be installed in many municipalities all over the country. The total capacity of these ecologically-sound and environmentally-friendly power units is 51 megawatts, which should substantially augment the power supply in the outer regions and enhance government’s pump-priming in those areas.

Economic growth and progress are necessarily dependent on a stable and adequate power supply. Industrial expansion, job generation, agricultural modernization, increase in family income, and community development — all rely considerably on the availability of electric power. A progressive program of energy and power development and distribution is a basic requirement for our sustainable development.

In the long term, therefore, we must ensure the stable and adequate supply of energy and electric power using such indigenous sources as hydro, geothermal, coal and even oil. This is why we’ve intensified our exploration and development, with several foreign partners, of off-shore petroleum and natural gas.
PRIVATE AND FOREIGN PARTICIPATION
One bright spot in the power crisis is the growing involvement of domestic and foreign investors and the private sector in energy and power development, thru various arrangements such as joint ventures and build-operate-transfer schemes.

This Limay Simple-Cycle Power Plant is a concrete example of the effectiveness of such partnerships. Let us hope that more investors will be encouraged to invest their time, effort and resources in other worthwhile projects — not necessarily nor exclusively in the energy sector but in agriculture, manufacturing and tourism as well.

I therefore congratulate those who teamed up to ensure the completion of this power plant: the main consortium composed of the Marubeni Corporation, ASEA Brown Boveri, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. And the sub-contractors, namely, the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Company; MIESCOR; Taihei Dengyo Kaisha; FEI Corporation; and Tokyo Kyufi Company, Ltd.

Let me also recognize the exemplary collaboration of these firms with the national power corporation, together with the provincial government of Bataan led by Governor Enrique Garcia and the municipal government of Limay under Mayor Nelson David. Bataan’s historic role in the defense of freedom and democracy during the Second World War — which we also commemorate today — is now being equaled by its valuable role in our national development.

Let me finally acknowledge the generous support of the government of Japan and the Japan Export-Import Bank in funding this project.

To all of you, and to the others who did their share in building this plant, thank you and a glorious easter to all.

Marami pong salamat.