Saturday, November 11, 2006 Delayed erection of power plant bars similar project By Jane Cadalig
THE delayed implementation by the National Power Corporation (NPC) of its proposed hydro development along the Amburayan River in Kapangan, Benguet is blocking the development of another project by a local power-generating firm.
In order not to hamper the proposed erection of a mini-power plant along the river, Vice Mayor Rogelio Dagupen urged the NPC to finally present its proposal to the people in the locality.
A local hydro developer, the Cordillera Power Corporation (CPC), has applied for a water permit at the Amburayan River for the implementation of the Kapangan mini-hydro project (MHP).
The water permit application was filed before the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), which forwarded it to the NPC for comment.
The NPC said it is not against the implementation of the Kapangan MHP, but revealed that it too has a proposed development along the river, which is located one kilometer downstream the proposed Kapangan mini-power plant.
The project's feasibility was reportedly completed in 1992 and that the tailwater requirement level of the Kapangan MHP "might be affected once the (NPC) project is implemented in the future."
Dagupen said the declaration of the NPC bars the CPC from implementing its proposed project, which earned the support of the local government unit (LGU) as it is expected to pour in more income to the locality.
"That is why we are asking the NPC to come to our municipality to finally present whatever that project is and not to merely say that it will be implemented in the future," he said.
Mini-hydro development is a booming industry in Benguet, with local power developer taking the lead.
The LGUs have expressed support to the erection of more locally owned mini-power plants, claiming this would improve the economic development of the province. They said that any development projects must be acceptable to the communities.
