Sunday, June 29, 2008 Dams' turnover reset By Jane Cadalig
THE supposed turnover of the Binga and Ambuklao dams to the SN Aboitiz Power (Snap) last June 25 hit a snag after both proponents asked for the resetting of the schedule.
Itogon Councilor Oscar Camantiles said the turnover was reset to July 7, after the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman of the International Finance Committee received complaints of the affected indigenous peoples (IPs) regarding their unsettled claims and the request for suspension of the Municipal Government.
National Power Corporation (Napocor) general lawyer Melchor Ridulme said the state-owned corporation is not privy to the reason for the rescheduling.
He however said the municipality's move had nothing to do with the rescheduling of the turnover.
"I believe there are some issues on the financing agreements between Snap and its lender that needs to be looked into," Ridulme said.
Napocor was supposed to turn over Ambuklao (located in Bokod) and Binga to Snap, the winning bidder for the maintenance and operations of the two power facilities.
But Camantiles said the complaints of IPs and the resolution of the Itogon Municipal Government were the reasons for the delay.
The Local Government asked for the suspension of the turnover, saying several unsettled claims are yet to be resolved.
Heirs of the ancestral land owners and those who were displaced during the construction of the dams, particularly those in Itogon, are asking the Napocor for just compensation and to return to them lands which are not being used in the operations of Binga.
Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan earlier said the Napocor should address the concerns brought out by the claimants.
