A FORMAL notice was issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP-CAR) of the alleged dormancy of the 60-megawatt (MW) hydropower project of Cordillera Hydro Electric Power Corporation (Coheco) affecting communities of Kapangan and Kibungan in Benguet.
Lawyer Ronald Calde, NCIP-CAR director, penned lawyer Jingboy Atonen, director for legal and government relations and compliance officer of the Coheco prior to the certification of precondition (CP) issued by NCIP favoring the 60-MW hydroelectric power plant (HEPP).
“Please be informed that there are reports being received by the office alleging the dormancy of the HEPP. Be advised that your failure to commence with the construction of the 60MW Coheco HEPP is also a failure to your obligations to the concerned IP/ICCs of Kapangan and Kibungan,” the notice read.
The regional director added before NCIP submit, report and inform the NCIP chairperson regarding the dormancy of the CP issued to Coheco and before recommending the possible cancellation of the CP, the hydro electric corporation was required to submit a status report informing the NCIP of the development of the CP as Pursuant to Section 30 of NCIP Administrative Order Series of 2012.
The company was also given 15 days to comment on the matter.
“Should there be no constructions yet despite the lapsed of the already prescribed period following the issuance of the CP, the CP is deemed dormant and thus a ground for cancellation of the CP,” the notice adds.
In 2017, ground works started for the construction of the 60MW run-off river hydro project.
The project covers barangay Badeo in Kibungan and barangays in Kapangan.
Coheco is a Philippine company which partnered with a Korean investor. The company started its operation as a power supplier back in 2008.