Ifugao hydro plant to power terraces upkeep

LAGAWE, Ifugao – A power plant here is now operational and earning money, reason for Gov. Eugene Balitang to instruct mayors of four identified heritage sites in this province to encourage their constituents to submit proposals for funding from proceeds sale of power generated from the Ambangal Mini-Hydro Power Plant.

But Balitang warned mayort of Kiangan, Banaue, Hungduan and Mayoyao towns that said funding was for rehabilitation and conservation of the rice terraces and not for other projects.

“In as much as the Ifugao Rice Terraces as a world heritage site is in danger, our efforts should focus on implementing impact projects, Balitang said. “We hope to be out of that list by 2012 as covered under the 2003-2012 rice terraces master plan.”

Balitang bared these when he addressed the steering committee of the Ambangal Mini-Hydro Power Plant on how to disburse the available amount of P1,771,154.31 earmarked as rice terraces conservation fund from the P4,198,861.64 collection paid by the Ifugao Electric Coop. from the whole power energy generated sales of the first mini-hydro plant in Ifugao.

This power plant was made possible through the administration of three governors.

The feasibility study was credited to the late Benjamin Cappleman, the construction to Gov. Teodoro Baguilat, Jr., now Ifugao congressman.

Balitang said this administration is now putting in their share to fix legal impediments to make the plant fully operational.

This endeavor was also made achievable through joint partnership with the Tokyo Electric Power Company that specializes on hydro-electric power.

It was TEPCO that endorsed the Ambangal mini-hydro power plant project that included goal of securing funds for the rehabilitation of Ifugao Rice Terraces from e8, an international organization of leading electric companies of G8 countries.

The result earned good reviews, hence, the construction started last December 2010 and finished last December 2009.

Since UNESCO’s enlistment of the Ifugao Rice Terraces in the endangered world heritage sites, de-listing has become a prime goal of the present administration.

The RCTF, referring to the portion allocated from the net proceeds of the operation of the AMHPP to be used exclusively for the development, promotion and conservation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, is seen as new ray of hope in taking the IRT a step closer to this goal.

In the last meeting of the AMHPP, it agreed the steering committee may have the authority to evaluate and approve project proposals but it is the SanggunianPanlalawigan which has the power of the purse when it comes to the approval of the allocations on the endorsed proposals. -- ZAB/RPL