MP gov denies barbs on P150 loan project

By Angel Baybay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Gov. Maximo Dalog branded as baseless and politically motivated the contents of a circulating text message here at the capital town alleging that the provincial government shall be securing a P150 million peso loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines purportedly to finance a micro power plant to generate electric energy.

In a radio interview, the governor said the message was baseless. “I never talked to any DBP officer to grant the provincial government a loan. The more it is untrue that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has authorized me to enter into any form of loan agreement with the said bank,” the governor said.

But Dalog added some DBP officials had an audience with him and members of the provincial legislative body last August 5 at the legislative building where the bank officials explained the newly opened window at the bank that finances micro power plants.

He said there was no action of the SP to authorize any person to enter into any form of loan from the bank. “This claim is supported by a check of the minutes of the SP session on that date which is without any hint that the matter was taken up.”

Dalog called on those responsible in sending out the messages not to politicize the issue so that the people could make objective discussions on the matter. “Should our constituents be receptive to the project, it will take years before it will be realized but it should be brought out in the open this early so the people will start thinking about it,” Dalog said.

Before any power plant project will be started, it needs to undergo a reconnaissance survey and given an environment clearance certificate from the DENR.

Since, the province is an indigenous people’s community, a prior informed consent from affected communities is required.

Meanwhile, the proposal of tapping the province’s water resources to generate electric power has earned positive reaction from some local officials and individuals.

“It will generate employment and income for the local government units aside from lessening the monthly bills paid by consumers,” said a resident.

The power generated shall be sold to the local electric cooperative. Any excess could be retailed to other interested electric consumers outside the province.