‘We own Magat Power Plant not Magat Dam’
SNAP has set aside P3.5 million for the operations which it launched on Nov. 16.
As of Nov. 20, it has delivered around P3.35M worth of relief goods to the provincial governments of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Ifugao; Cagayan State University in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; and the Cagayan Red Cross.
SNAP team headed by AVP Plant manager Willy Ferrer (2nd from right) turns over food aid to Isabela Vice Gov. Bodjie Dy
Initial relief supplies from SN Aboitiz Power were turned over to Cagayan State University represented by Administrator Dr. Judy Luyun last November 16
The aid consisted of rice, other food supplies, and water. SNAP also partnered with Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and PILMICO which were jointly donating around PhP2M worth of medicine and vitamins, food packs, and bottled water for the next wave of relief to affected communities.
Meanwhile, it clarified that it operates the Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant on the border of Isabela and Ifugao, but not Magat Dam, which is owned by the National Government through the National Irrigation Administration.
SNAP issued this clarification after several social media posts and news stories erroneously identified SNAP as owner or operator of the Magat Dam.
“SNAP does not own, manage, or operate Magat dam and its re-regulating facilities. It took over Magat hydroelectric power plant in 2007 after a successful privatization bid. Magat dam is a multi-purpose dam primarily for irrigation and flood control. As such, the ownership, management, and operations of Magat and Maris dams and all other non-power components such as reservoirs and spillways remained with the government through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA),” SNAP said in a statement.
SNAP Group is a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower. It owns and operates the Ambuklao and Binga hydroelectric power plants in Benguet; the Magat hydroelectric power plant on the border of Isabela and Ifugao; and the Maris hydroelectric power plant in Isabela. The ownership, management, and operations of all non-power components such as dams, reservoirs, and spillways remain with the government.