NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley - A 30-megawatt (mW) hydro-electric power plant is expected to be built in this agricultural and mining-rich province in Southern Philippines.
The construction of the hydro-electric power plant was proposed in Compostela Valley (ComVal) as a back-up for the power requirements in case power shortage will be encountered in the future.
ComVal experienced severe power outage and rotating brownouts last year and early this year after hydropower plants in Lanao and Pulangi in Northern Mindanao was affected by lack of water due to the El Niño phenomenon.
As this developed, Hedcor-Aboitiz is looking forward for a possible partnership with Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Daneco) to set up the 30-mW hydro-electric power plant at the Upper Agusan River in Tandawan, New Bataan, ComVal.
Earlier, Hedcor vice president for Mindanao Development Operation Gregorio Jabonillo together with Board of Investment (BoI) chairman for Davao Region Gil Dureza, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ComVal Program Manager Nelly Esperanza visited the office of ComVal Gov. Arturo T. Uy for a courtesy call and informed the governor of the proposed plan.
Jabonillo told the provincial chief executive that Hedcor-Aboitiz is willing to spend at least P6 million for the project and willing to supply Daneco 50 percent from 30 megawatts to be produced from the power plant.
However, the Hedcor officer explained that they could not push through with the project unless Hedcor-Aboitiz and Daneco finalize the deal because Daneco will be the buyer/sub-contractor of the power and only Daneco has the water rights of the Upper Agusan River in Tandawan.
For his part, Uy is very much elated about the plan and ordered on Tuesday his technical men and planning development staff to help and closely coordinate with the stakeholders of the proposed hydro-electric power plant.
''Actually, the plan is for the benefit of the residents and rural businesses. However, we must also consider the voice of the majority and whole officialdom,'' said Uy.
It was gathered that Hedcor, Daneco and the provincial officials will meet again next week or early next month to discuss the proposal.
Meanwhile, the provincial chief executive together with several members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) visited different national offices early this month to bring up several concerns for the development and progress of ComVal province.
Among the offices visited by the governor were the office of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.
He got the chance to request the cementing of the Nabunturan-Maragusan national road as well as the Asuncion-Laak national road.
