Inabanga (Bohol) mayor wants Cantakoy hydro project cancelled

CEBU, Philippines - Following the indefinite suspension, effective May 21 this year, of the controversial P1.3 billion Cantakoy mini-hydro project located at Brgy. Cabatuan in Danao town, the people of the coastal town of Inabanga, led by Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy, this time wanted it to be cancelled for good.

In his 12-page position paper or statement of concern, which her mother Provincial Board Member Josephine Socorro Jumamoy delivered in a privilege speech during last Friday’s session, Mayor Jumamoy said: “DENR should revoke (the project’s) ECC and the on-going construction activities ” for violations of the terms of the project’s ECC issued by the Environmental Management Bureau.

Mayor Jumamoy also asked the Department of Energy to cancel the project’s hydropower service contract (HSC) No. 2010-03-138 issued on March 25, 2010. “While we appreciate the benefits of having a renewable energy from the Cantakoy hydro project, our people’s well-being and right to healthy environment should not be sacrificed,” he said.

The PB, in its Friday session presided by senior PB Member Dionisio Balite, supported the mayor’s move for project cancellation by adopting Jumamoy’s position paper and endorsing it to the Provincial Development Council for consideration.

The PB further approved another resolution endorsing the mayor’s position paper to the DENR and DOE for their information and action.

ECC No. RO7-0903-018-0120, issued on August 11, 2009 by then EMB-7 regional director Rolando Luego of DENR in Cebu, covers the proposed 5.2-megawatt hydro project in Danao town with an area of about 53 hectares, according to Nestor Canda, Bohol DENR’s provincial environment and natural resource officer.

He said the ECC, which included the development and operation component of the small 30-meter high dam, was applied by the Sta. Clara Power Corp. (SCPC), through its vice president for operation Dominador Borje, as the project proponent.

The actual project implementer however is the Quadriver Energy Corp., created by SCPC and a certain Ayala company, he said.

Mayor Jumamoy accused the project proponents of “misrepresentations” including the use of ECC that was issued to SCPC, but now used by Quadriver, which is tantamount to a violation.

Before the suspension order was issued, a study and technical conference held in Cebu, attended by the proponents, the EMB found nine out of 17 ECC conditions not being followed, said Canda.

Except for Danao town Mayor Tom Gonzaga, who favored the project to proceed, the proponents had kept mum on the adverse issues hurled against the project.    - THE FREEMAN