IGBARAS WELCOMES PHP 1,000,000,000.00 (1B)

COST-MINI-HYDRO PLANT IN BRGY. IGCABUGAO IN 2010

            For more than two decades, the dream of a Mini-Hydro Plant with an estimated Project cost of One (1) Billion pesos will now be a reality for Igbaras, with this Chinese investor from Century Peak Energy Management corporation who had already sought the approval of the Municipal Officials and concerned Sangguniang Barangay of Igcabugao and Passi for its assessment, feasibility study and construction, possibly in the second quarter of 2010.

             In the appearance of Century Peak Consultants on July 20, 2009 before Mayor E. Esmeralda, M.D., Vice Mayor Jose Edmund Esporas, Sangguniang Bayan Members and the Department Heads of the local Government Unit (LGU), was their proposal to construct a Mini-Hydro Plant in Igbaras.  The National and Provincial Government endorsed this project to Century Peak with the support of the Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Administration (NEA), and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).  The Century Team is going through with their rigid Feasibility Study to be due in December 2009.  This is in line with the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 9513 known as the Renewable Energy Act, that is, to develop indigenous energy resources in order to minimize dependence on outside source of or imported energy supply.

             Primarily, Kiput Area will enhance its economic way of life and will become the show-window of tourist attractions by an improvement in road network, the construction of bridges, and beautification of Nadsadjan Falls to be shouldered by Century Peak.  In addition, there are additional eco-tourism attractions, employment and income generation, maintained watershed, reforestation, lesser electric bills especially for the host barangay and development of the Municipality of Igbaras in general.

             The dam structure is basically designed at the height of ten (10) meters to the maximum with its flooding level good for 100 years.  There is no reservoir and the water will be continuously flowing through the pipes and in its spill ways.  A small amount will for electric use only so the nearby rice fields would not be affected because not 100% of water is taken.  These were the explanations of Ms. Glena B. Martinez and Ms. Amor B. Villanueva, Vergel Consultants of Century Peak Energy Management Corporation.  Thus, misconceptions of flooding, irrigation problem and displacement of several barangay residents are avoided.

           Even Iloilo Electric Cooperative I (ILECO I) is very eager with the proposal for the construction of Mini-Hydro in Igbaras for the advantage of accessibility, sufficiency, and lesser cost of electricity.  “It however, hastens Century to produce the S curve before General Manager Wilfred Billena signifies with Parenthenon Geothermal”, said one of the Consultants.