Japan govt to award mini-hydro project to Ifugao town

By Vency D. Bulayungan

LAGAWE, Ifugao--The Government of Japan through its Japan International Cooperation Agency will award the Government of the Philippines through the Department of Energy a grant- aid project for the development of hydropower resources particularly the Likud Mini-hydropower Project in Haliap, Asipulo town.

           

Ronie Sargento, chief science research specialist of the DOE, said that the Likud mini-hydro project shall have a mini-hydro demonstration plant with transmission facilities that can provide an alternative source of electricity and partially address energy requirements of the province.

           

The mini-hydro project to be  funded and developed by JICA in cooperation with DOE and the  provincial government,  seeks to contribute to diversifying energy and reduction of gas emissions by utilizing domestic renewable energy by developing untapped hydropower potentials in the province.

           

It also aims to maintain the quality of the life of the local people engaged in rice terraces farming.

           

A memorandum of agreement between DOE and the PLGU stipulated cooperation and collaboration in implementation of the project and province agreed to be recipient of the mini-hydro demonstration plant including its transmission facilities.

           

The DOE, tasked to formulate policies and programs, shall establish institutional arrangements and coordination with local government units and other government and private agencies/entities that would be involved in the project, including the provision of technical assistance. 

           

The PLGU through the  Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed and approved several resolutions in support of the said project.

The PLGU is supporting promotion of sustainable energy projects to provide socio-economic and environmental benefits to the people here, the MOA further stated.

The JICA plans to develop the Likud Mini-hydro project to secure funds that will be used for conservation activities supporting the Ifugao Rice Terraces protection and preservation program, for the operation and maintenance of the plant and development of hydropower resources in the province.