Hydro power plant starts construction in Ifugao

By Daniel Codamon

ASIPULO, Ifugao - -Another mini-hydro power plant will be constructed  this province with the  ground breaking ceremony held on Tuesday  at the project site in Barangay Haliap here.

The Likud Mini-Hydro Power Plant Project (LMPPP)  is funded by  the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and  implemented with the help of the technical expertise of the Tokyo Electric Power Corporation (TEPCO)   and the IWATA Construction of Japan as contractor   assisted by local contractors.

The third mini hydro plant to  be constructed in the province, the LMPPP is  expected to generate 820 kilowatt hour electric power supply or 5,585.5 megawatt hour annually.

This  is four times greater than the 201 kilowatt hours production of  Ambangal Mini-Hydro Power Plant  erected in Barangay Mungayang of Kiangan municipality in 2010  through a grant from JICA.

Feasibility study of the LMPPP was conducted in 2011.Several consultation meetings were conducted between the stakeholders consisting of the Provincial Government of Ifugao (PGI), JICA representatives and the residents of the affected communities of Haliap and Panubtuban of Asipulo and Barangay Duit of Kiangan who gave their consent as provided in the Indigenous People’s Right Act (IPRA) for the Free and Prior Consent of the people in the exploitation of their natural resources.

In November last year, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved  a  resolution granting power and authorizing Governor Denis Habawel to purchase private lots   for use of the project as one of the conditions of the JICA for its implementation.

JICA represented by Eigo Azukisawa said the LMPPP which is expected to be completed early next year and other similar projects in the future will strengthen the alliance of Japan and the Philippines in the development of renewable energy  which  is environmental-friendly and beneficial mainly to rural communities as an appropriate technology.

During the ground breaking , Governor Habawel,  Mayors Armando Domilod of Asipulo, Joselito Guyguyon of Kiangan, Barangay Captains of Haliap Laurence Putac, Wilma Ullay of Panubtuban and Marcial Allaga of Duit expressed their strong support and deep gratitude to JICA for their financial assistance and the Department of Energy represented by Director Mario Marasigan for their help in the realization of the project.

Ifugao has abundant sources of renewable sources of energy from natural hydro or water resources which can be developed and utilized and its benefits redounding to the people.