BANAUE, Ifugao – The municipal governments of Aguinaldo, Lagawe, and Mayoyao in this province have given their thumbs up to two interconnected hydropower generation projects that will generate 140 megawatts (MW) of clean energy for Ifugao.
“We have to push through with this project because of the huge opportunities if offers the province and for the people of Ifugao,” Governor Pedro Mayam-o said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday.
This project, he said, will increase power supply, raise taxes, provide employment opportunities, and very timely to help the Ifugao families displaced from Itogon, Benguet because of the recent typhoon.
The three local governments signed early this month a framework agreement for the 120-MW Alimit hydro-electric power plant and a connecting 20-megawatt power plant to be built and operated by the SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Group, a hydropower generation firm.
The power plants will be located on the lower portion of the Alimit River and the Ibuao River, two tributaries of the bigger Magat River from Nueva Viscaya.
Both power facilities are part of the Alimit Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex that SNAP had been proposing for the past several years for Ifugao province.
Approved by the Department of Energy in 2014, the entire complex has a potential total power generating output of 390 MW, once completed. This includes another power facility that could generate 250MW more of hydropower, but has been put on hold for some “market constraints.”
Joseph Yu, SNAP president and chief executive officer, said the company had submitted the Alimit project to the DOE as an energy project “of national significance,” as it could contribute to the country’s electricity supply.
No factories, no mining, only hydropower
Mayam-o said Ifugao’s rich water resources will not be put to good use by just making it flow to the sea.
“We have nothing to lose but many things to gain. We are rich in natural resources but if we don’t develop them, they are un-utilized. We have the company to help us develop these natural resources so that we will benefit from it,” he said.
Ifugao, he said, has no factories, neither mining industries.
“Ito lang ang pwede natin ma-develop (this is the only thing we can develop),” he said.
Ifugao receives a small share from the operation of the 380MW Magat hydropower plant in Isabela, one of the biggest hydro-electric facilities in Luzon, as a portion of the plant is in Aguinaldo town in Ifugao.
“No more sharing with Isabela. Sa atin na lahat ang benepisyo (The benefits are all ours),” Mayam-o said.
He added the construction of the Alimit hydropower plant will generate jobs for thousands in Ifugao, including those displaced by the Itogon landslide.
Indigenous people’s consent
Mayors Gaspar Chilagan Jr. of Aguinaldo town, Martin Habawel Jr. of Lagawe, and Ronie Lumayna of Mayoyao expressed their approval to the conduct of Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) for the Alimit hydropower plant.
Lumayna said Mayoyao town was actually the first local government to push for the project.
“There is no problem with Mayoyao because it is the first to endorse the project,” he said. “We cannot drink all the water and we want it to be used for the project to benefit the people.”
Chilagan said Aguinaldo town was initially not part of the project, but had asked for its inclusion.
“We thank the SNAP that they were able to include Aguinaldo,” he said. “We thank all municipal officials and IPOs (indigenous people’s organizations) who are open-minded, especially in development concerns.”
Habawel agreed, adding that his town of Lagawe has so much natural resources to put in good use.
The project also involves the town of Lamut, but it is still awaiting the final consent of its IPOs. (Liza Agoot/PNA)
