Aklan Expects Hydropower Project Construction Signs MOU

Aklan may emerge as the key to help address the country’s power woes, after the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by and among the Provincial Government of Aklan, Tri Energy Development and Consultancy, Inc. (Tridecon), California Energy International Ltd. (Cal En) and the Municipality of Libacao. This is the first step in the conduct of a project study on the proposed Aklan Hydropower Project at Dalagsaan, Libacao, Aklan. This project had been conceptualized by the Provincial Government since 1956 and field reconnaissance surveys of several dams and power house had been proposed.
Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez said, "the hydroelectric power project in Libacao is a much welcome development in the province as a source of sufficient, stable and cheap electricity needed to industrialize Aklan’s agriculture, eradicate poverty and provide job opportunities to Aklanons," after the signing ceremonies.
"With the Aklan River Hydropower project, we can get on with the formalization because this is a private-led initiative with the California Energy and the Tridecon supporting us to have affordable and stable electric power supply," Marquez stressed.
Some 160,000 Aklanons live below poverty line, subsisting on only P50 a day, and the realization of this project, even with the start of the construction, could already provide much-needed jobs, according to Gov. Marquez.
Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores of the Lone District of Aklan was glad to see the initial step taken by the province of Aklan, the municipality of Libacao and the California Energy. The Aklan Hydropower Project in addition to the Timbaban Hydroelectric Power Plant might be the answer to the continuous search of the Department of Energy for indigenous and renewable power source, said Miraflores.
"In Panay, this is the most acceptable source of energy as the bishops of Western Visayas are against coal-powered electric plants. The Philippine National Oil Company also believes that hydropower is a viable project for the country. Side by side, the two hydroelectric power plants in Libacao and Madalag will generate sufficient power for the current and future requirements of Aklan, the island of Boracay and even Panay. Without any additional source of power now, business will never be profitable," Miraflores pointed out.
Libacao Mayor Charito Navarrosa also expressed elation with the coming to Libacao of Cal Energy to develop and operate the hydroelectric power plant which is a multi-million dollar project to provide Libacao, the province of Aklan and Panay Island with sustainable electricity at less cost. This will provide Aklanons and their children a better life through jobs creation and other opportunities brought by investments.
Navarrosa also saw the signing as historic, a means for Libacao and Aklan to hasten economic development.
For Aklan Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino, the MOU signing is "an idea whose time has come."
All Aklan officials who were signatories to the MOU assured Cal Energy represented by Raymund Cunningham of their full support for the realization of the project.
TRIDECON is the consultant firm of the project, headed by its president, Henry Camasura who was also present at the MOU signing. (PIA/VGVillanueva) /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com