MANILA, Philippines – SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) remains committed to develop the Alimit Hydroelectric Power Complex in Ifugao as it pursues to secure consent from affected indigenous communities.
The joint venture of SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corp. is completing the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process with the affected indigenous communities as required under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997, SNAP Group spokesperson Michael Hosillos said in a statement.
Hosillos said project proponent SN Aboitiz Power-Ifugao Inc. (SNAP-Ifugao) has been conducting the second community consultative assemblies since January in the four ancestral domains of Lamut, Lagawe, Mayoyao, and Aguinaldo.
Under the consultations, the company was required to disclose to the indigenous people the complete project’s studies and plans, including the benefits, negative and adverse impact.
“We are scheduled to complete presentations to all 81 barangays composing the ancestral domains within the next two months. This will then allow the Indigenous Peoples to go into a consensus building process to decide whether to give consent to the proposed project or not. So far, we have received positive reception to the proposed project,” Hosillos said.
Once the consultant assemblies are concluded in all the domains, the indigenous communities have a maximum of 60 days to decide whether or not to give consent to the proposed project.
The Alimit hydropower complex is composed of three power facilities namely the 20-MW Olilicon Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP), the 120-MW Alimit HEPP, and the 250-MW Alimit Pumped Storage Project.
Located in the municipalities of Aguinaldo, Lagawe, Lamut, Mayoyao, the project aims to provide additional electricity to the Luzon grid and contribute to energy security.