Benguet villages get P2.75-million aid for hosting power dams

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The SN Aboitiz Power Corporation in Benguet (SNAPB) approved the release of P2.75 million to fund several community projects in different villages of Itogon and Bokod towns that play host to the operation of the Ambuclao and Binga power plants to fulfill its corporate social responsibility programs.

The five projects arre part of a multi-million-peso development package prepared by the power generation company in recognition of the importance of the communities of Ambuclao in Bokod town and Tinongdan in Itogon which host the Ambuclao and Binga dams, respectively.

The Aboitiz-owned power company is in the process of rehabilitating the two power plants in order to increase their respective production by a combined total of 225 megawatts and for the same plants to be operational next year.

Out of the released amount, P500,000 was earmarked for expansion and rehabilitation of the sangguniang barangay hall in Tinongdan while P100,000 was allotted for barangay profiling project. P400,000 was also allocated for the rehabilitation of the Binga Elementary School teachers quarters.

For the municipal government of Itogon, SNAP received P550,000 for the upgrading of community assistance police centers (COMPAC) of the Itogon municipal police station.

Lawyer Mike Hosillos, SNAP external affairs manager, said P200,000 was also given for the additional facilities for students and faculty of the Binga Elementary School.

In Bokod town, the company earmarked P300,000 for construction of the perimeter fence for the Binga National High School plus an additional P700,000 for other pending projects to be submitted for approval by the municipal government.

Hosillos said the power firm will fulfill its commitment in the development of host communities surrounding the two power plants to show villagers that they mean business in placing a huge investment for the rehabilitation of the two dams to boost the country’s energy reserves. -- Dexter A. See