The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a proposed measure establishing the Timbaban Hydropower Development Project within the Aklan watershed forest reserve in Brgy. Maria Cristina, Madalag town.
Authored by Cong. Florencio Miraflores, House Bill No. 5705 will pave the construction of a multi-billion dollar hydroelectric plant to address Aklan’s power needs after its approval and implementation.
"The measure exempts the Timbaban area from the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). It would take two to three years before this hydroelectric plant could provide reliable and sufficient source of electricity for Aklanons," Miraflores stressed.
Under Republic Act 7586, an act providing for the establishment and management of NIPAS, Section 14 states: "any exploitation and utilization of energy resources found within NIPAS areas shall be allowed only through a law passed by Congress."
The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and the Energy Development Corporation are presently securing a $75-million funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the West Japan Engineering Consultants as technical partner.
The Timbaban Hydropower Plant, a run-of-river type of power generation project, is expected to generate 23.5 megawatts (MW) enough for Aklan and the island resort of Boracay, the solon said.
A feasibility study for the Timbaban hydropower project, funded by Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro), has been completed and is now under review by the PNOC Investments and Appraisals Committee (PNOC-IAC).
Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez earlier said the cheaper and sustainable power from the Timbaban project would sustain the twin programs of the province - agriculture and tourism - and enhance the capability of Aklan to source renewable and indigenous energy.
According to a study commissioned by World Wildlife Foundation - Philippines with the University of the Philippines – National Engineering Center, the Philippines has a potential installed capacity of 7,404 megawatts from wind power; 2,308 megawatts from small hydro; 4,000 megawatts from geothermal; and 235 megawatts from biomass sources. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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