Aboitiz unit remits P61.2 million in real property taxes

MANILA, Philippines - SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. (SNAP-Benguet) has remitted P61.2 million in real property taxes to the host community of the 105-megawatt Ambuklao hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) as advance payment for the rehabilitated electro-mechanical equipment of the facility.

SNAP-Benguet president and chief executive officer Emmanuel V. Rubio recently turned over the ceremonial check to mark the actual payment to Benguet Governor Nestor B. Fongwan.

Rubio noted that since Ambuklao’s re-operation six months ago, its contribution to the province and municipality has already been “significant.”

“As we continue to operate the Ambuklao and Binga HEPPs, we can work together to make a difference in the lives of the people in areas where we operate,” Rubio said.

SNAP-Benguet took over the Ambuklao HEPP along with the 100-MW Binga HEPP in 2008 following a successful bid for the twin plants amounting to $325 million through the government’s power sector privatization program.

In the same year, it set to work on rehabilitating and upgrading the then decommissioned 75-MW Ambuklao HEPP which came back on-line in June this year. The plant had been shut down since 1999 as a result of technical problems and siltation brought about by the 1990 Luzon earthquake.

SNAP-Benguet is a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power.