DavSur LGU, tribal community welcome construction of Hedcor hydro plant

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur -- The local government and the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe here accepted and welcomed on Friday the construction of Hedcor’s new hydropower plant that would provide an additional power supply of 7 megawatts (MW) for the province.

In the groundbreaking rites for Tudaya Hydropower 2 Plant at Barangay Astorga, the officials of Sta. Cruz and tribal leaders signified acceptance and support to the third facility of Hedcor in the municipality.

Hedcor Tudaya Inc. would soon start building the facility that is expected to generate 40.5 gigawatt-hours annually to Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (Dasureco), which Hedcor said could power more than 7,000 homes.

Mayor Joel Ray Lopez lauded and thanked the power firm for putting up the facilities in Sta. Cruz, citing the various improvements that Hedcor has already provided for operating the 42.5-MW Sibulan Hydropower Plants since 2010 in this town.

Lopez said Hedcor is the biggest local tax payer, adding that the company paid more than P60 million in taxes last year including real property and national taxes.

The mayor also cited road improvements, and jobs, scholarship and livelihood assistance provided for the residents of the host communities, especially for the tribal members.

Rogelio Manapol, Bagobo-Tagabawa tribal chieftain, was also grateful to Hedcor for accelerating developments for the indigenous people citing infrastructure projects such as roads.

Manapol said his tribal members have realized that the hydropower plants would contribute to the developments not only in their communities, but also in the whole country.

Hedcor president Rene Ronquillo said the construction of the new facility would assure sufficient supply of power for the province after the project’s completion by 2014.

He said the project would open more than 400 employment opportunities to locals and will bring more benefits to the host communities through its Corporate Social Responsibility programs. (PR)