NIA Quezon City - In lieu of sustained cooperation and collaboration, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) once again entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue a 24MW hydropower project in one of the identified areas within the existing Baligatan headworks and irrigation structures along the irrigation canals from Magat dam to Camp Vizcarra in Isabela. The MOU was signed on February 6, 2014 at the NIA Central Office in Quezon City. Representing the two parties are NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal and SNAP President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio.
NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal (3rd from L, seated) and SNAP President and CEO Emmanuel Rubio (2nd from L, seated) leads the signing of the MOU for the proposed 24MW Baligatan Cascade Hydroelectric Project on February 6, 2015 at the NIA Central Office in Quezon City. With them are: (seated L-R) SNAP Vice President Eleanor Peña-Blomdahl and Atty. Genever Dionio. Standing at the back are (from L-R) Atty. Mike Hosillos, Atty. Ani Macias, Ms. Pilipina P. Bermudez, Engr. Andy Ana, and Mr. Daniel Simmonds.
The proposed project which will be known as the 24MW Baligatan Cascade Project will consist of a cascade hydropower development that will optimize the water resources that is both beneficial to NIA's irrigation development goals and SNAP's hydro-electricity development. SNAP will provide the funds for the activities stated in the MOU.
Through the MOU, NIA authorizes and will provide assistance to SNAP to conduct investigation, evaluation, and pre-development which includes pre-feasibility, feasibility, and pre-engineering studies on the project, in preparation for the actual plant construction and operations of the project. On the other hand, SNAP shall ensure that irrigation activities within the irrigation system will not be affected during the implementation of the activities within the MOU.
In addition to NIA's mandate to operate and maintain national irrigation systems in the country, the agency also recently included in its activities the exploration and venture of other endeavors that will maximize the country's water resources such as hydro-electricity. This is the agency's response in the looming power shortage that is said to affect the country.
NIA and SNAP have long been partners in the operation of the largest multipurpose dam in the country, the Magat dam. NIA operates the irrigation component which is vital in the agricultural productivity of Region 2 and the country while SNAP owns and operates the Magat Hydro-Electric Power Plant (MHEPP) that generates and provides electricity for most of Luzon.
Also present during the MOU signing are SNAP personalities including Vice President and Chief Finance Officer Eleanor Peña-Blomdahl, Atty. Mike Hosillos, Atty. Ani Macias, Engr. Andy Ana, and Mr. Daniel Simmonds. Representing NIA are Atty. Genever Dionio of the Legal Services Department and Public Affairs and Information Staff Manager Pilipina P. Bermudez.
