LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- A hydro company is seeking support from provincial officials.
Jaime Paredes, director of Goldlink Global Energy Corporation, in a letter to the Provincial Board asked for support for various projects of the company in the province.
"We ask for the support of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan through a resolution," he wrote.
"It is our fervent hope that through the Sangguniang Panglalawigan's support, we shall be able to contribute to the nation's thrust of generating clean and renewable energy to usher in sustainable development without sacrificing the environment and the welfare of the people," Paredes said.
Paredes detailed the company's intention to develop and construct the Kanggaas Hydro Power Project, Tadiangan Hydro Power Project, Sallapan Hydro Power Project and the Nangalisan Hydro Power Project.
All the projects including its revisions with barangays Tadiangan, Poblacion, Nangalisan and Taloy Norte, are all situated in Tuba town and cited as directly affected areas.
"Pursuant to the provisions of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), we filed an application for Certification Precondition with the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP),” Paredes said.
According to Paredes, the NCIP conducted the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process during which the Indigenous Peoples of Tuba approved the projects through a resolution of consent.
"The FPIC process was then concluded through the execution of the Memorandum of Agreement between our company and IP's of Tuba Ancestral Domain," he disclosed.
Paredes said the affected areas of the communities have likewise given their endorsements and furnished the Sangguniang Panglalawigan copies of the resolutions issued by barangays Tadiangan, Poblacion, Nangalisan and Taloy Norte.