Negros Oriental gov’t okays Aboitiz hydro plant

MANILA, Philippines - AboitizPower, the holding company of the Aboitiz Group for its investments in the power sector, has signed an agreement with the provincial government of Negros Oriental for the construction of the 22-megawatt Mabinay-Manjuyod hydropower plant.

Under the agreement, the provincial government endorsed the project to be undertaken by Aboitiz Power subsidiary Hedcor.

Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo said he is optimistic the project would help improve the economy of the province.

Manjuyod Mayor Amor Baldado also signed a MOA with Hedcor.

“I am giving my full support to the building of this hydropower plant of Hedcor in our community because this will bring numerous benefits to the people,” he said.

According to AboitizPower, the agreements contain the benefits the host communities would receive from the project such as farm-to-market roads, education and employment opportunities, health services, and generation shares.

The generation shares will be given once the plant is operational.

Hedcor vice president Boy Jabonillo said the company has continuously helped host communities by helping them grow through sustainable social development programs.

The Mabinay-Manjuyod hydropower project is Hedcor’s first project of its kind in the Visayas. It will tap the Ilog River to generate 84 million kilowatt-hours annually.

Hedcor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower, which has a 47-megawatt generating capacity for Mindanao. AboitizPower is looking to pursue more projects as it aims to add 100 megawatts of renewable energy from run-of-river power plants by 2016.