Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Privatization of 2 dams beneficial to Benguet: official
AFTER earlier requests to delay the sale of the Binga and Ambuklao dams and the donation of these facilities to the Provincial Government, a Benguet board member is now singing a different tune on the impending auction of the dams.
Board Member Juan Nazarro Jr., who earlier pushed for the turnover of the two dams to the Provincial Government, said Tuesday that privatization of the dams would be more useful to the province.
"It would be better if these (dams) are privatized because we would maximize the collection of taxes, which would pour in more capital to the province. The private companies (who will win the bid) will no longer have basis to oppose the taxes that we will be collecting," Nazarro said.
The Provincial Board (PB) earlier sought the deferment of the sale of the Binga and Ambuklao dams, saying there are several issues still to be cleared such as the unsettled real property taxes being claimed from the National Power Corporation (NPC), owner of the two power plants.
The NPC however denied owing Benguet real property taxes, saying that it being a government owned and controlled corporation (Gocc), it is exempted from paying said taxes.
The PB also requested the National Government to turn over the dams to the province, but the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALMC) denied the request, saying the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) states that these properties must be sold to private entities. (JC)
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