Amilongan, Alilem to enjoy P3M community projects from Luzon Hydro

November 18, 2019 Community Billboard

The communities’ advancement, coupled by the locals’ trust and cooperation, were made possible through the ER1- 94 (Energy Regulations) generation shares brought about by the partnership amongst Barangay Amilongan, Municipality of Alilem, and Luzon Hydro. The two recipients will enjoy approximately P3 million worth of community and environmental projects from the generation of the Luzon Hydro Power Plant.
“The province of Alilem witnessed progress through the years of partnership we have with Luzon Hydro. We can achieve great things when we work together. We are more than honored to be part of the Hedcor family,” Alilem Mayor VelmorSumabat said expressing hope and positivity on programs brought by ER1-94.
These shares are in compliance with the newly revised ER 1-94 that now allows Luzon Hydro to direct its remittance of ER funds from its one centavo for every kilowatthour generated to its host communities starting 2019. Luzon Hydro’s Assistant Vice President Andy Faelnar said, “The revision of ER1-94 streamline the project implementation process, advantageous to both the generation companies and the recipients from the host community.”
“It is on top of the regular CSR projects and voluntary shares we furnish to our partner communities,” Faelnar added.
Implemented projects through ER1-94
The generation shares have brought remarkable projects throughout Luzon Hydro’s host communities; one would be the P1.89 million infrastructure projects focusing on the concreting of farm-tomarket roads in Bakun, Benguet. Accessibility of vehicles means more potential to improve livelihood.
In Barangay Kayapa, Bakun, an electrification project worth P4.97 million is now enjoyed by Sitios Bolisay and Kaang. With this project alone, the barangay’s health, education and livelihood concerns have been addressed as well.
In Alilem, Ilocos Sur, a similar electrification project worth P755, 000 has also been actualized through their generation shares. Department of Energy’s Director, Mario Marasigan expressed his gratitude at Luzon Hydro’s pro-activeness towards the policy.
“Congratulations to Hedcor, and to the entire Aboitiz group for being one of the first who are more than willing, not only to transfer the funds, but to share the benefits of power generation,” he said.
Luzon Hydro brings progress way back
Barangay Amilongan of Alilem, Ilocos Sur was once an inaccessible area. To reach the barangay, one must ride a motorcycle. To those who can’t afford one, walking by foot is their only option. On top of this problem, electricity is also a concern.
While the locals make up for their lack of resources with hard work and resourcefulness, such circumstances have slowed down the livelihood of the residents whose earnings relied heavily on farming.
At present, however, Amilongan paints a different picture. Concrete roads now stretch from farm to markets. Households no longer spend their nights in total darkness. On top of the projects funded by ER 1-94, Luzon Hydro also regularly conducts CSR activities in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation.
This is Luzon Hydro’s avenue of giving back to partners who safeguard its facilities throughout the years. Other recipients of ER1-94 funds in Benguet are Barangays Alno, Alapang and Bineng in La Trinidad; Barangay Ampucao, Itogon; Barangay Banengbeng, Sablan; Barangays Sinacbat and Poblacion in Bakun; and Barangay Tadiangan, Tuba.
Hedcor, being the pioneer of run-of-river hydro-power in the Philippines, operates 22 plants across the country with a total generating capacity of 277.36 MW of Cleanergy, its brand for clean and renewable energy. Luzon Hydro and Hedcor are owned by Aboitiz Power Corporation.