[ Manila Bulletin Online ] June 3, 2008
KALIBO, Aklan — The energy problem in Panay Island will soon ease up as the House of Representatives approved House Bill 3679 that allows the establishment of the Timbaban hydropower project within the Aklan River Watershed Forest Reserve in Brgy. Maria Cristina, Madalag, Aklan.
Congressman Florencio Miraflores, vice chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said the Timbaban hydropower project will be completed by 2013 as Japanese government will allot .985-million fund through the Japan Bank International Cooperation (JBIC).
The project, once completed, is expected to have a capacity to generate power up to 23.5 megawatts.
The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) will implement the project.
Aside from Timbaban hydropower project, the California Energy International has completed engineering and optimization studies for the hydroelectric project in Libacao, Aklan. It is expected to supply power to neighboring provinces.
Miraflores also said a Lopez-owned consortium, First Gen Renewables Inc., is also constructing micro-hydroelectric power plants that can generate 15 megawatts of power.
Earlier, President Gloria Arroyo had directed the Department of Energy (DoE) to seek more immediate solutions to the power supply shortage being experienced in Panay Island.
The President also advised Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes to first concentrate efforts on solutions that can be implemented on the short term.
Arroyo said that while the construction of more power-generating plants is a feasible solution, its benefits would still be felt only after three more years at the least.
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