Marcos backs revival of steel mill industry in Northern Mindanao

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has expressed support for the revival of the national steel mill industry in Northern Mindanao as he acknowledged its crucial role in propelling the country's industrialization.

During the Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X) meeting in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, Marcos noted that there have been ongoing discussions with both local and foreign groups, which are interested in forming ties to bring the National Steel Corp. back to life.

“There are already discussions among certain groups, both foreign and local, that would ensure a partnership to revive the steel mill,” Marcos said in a press release issued Wednesday.

Marcos said that locally producing steel “is critical for any industrialization that we are planning.”

Marcos also said he would direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate the capability of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex (APHC) to supply the necessary power needed to operate a steel mill.

The APHC, located in Maramag, Bukidnon, is composed of seven run-of-river hydropower plants with a total installed capacity of about 1,000 megawatts (MW), according to the Presidential Communications Office.

However, steel production in Region X would require at least 1,500 MW of consistent power supply.

“I will bring your concerns to Secretary (Raphael) Lotilla of the Department of Energy to see what’s possible. We need to do a technical analysis to determine if we can meet the 1,500 MW power production threshold,” Marcos said.

The members of the RDC pushed for the revival of the 500-hectare property previously occupied by the National Steel Corp., citing its potential to restore the city’s status as the “industrial city of the South.''

It will also create employment in the region, they said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News