2 hydroelectric power plants eyed in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY--A power firm is eyeing to put up two Hydroelectric Power Plants (HEPPs) in the Bukidnon town of Malitbog.

Dominador Lanozo, project development officer of Sta. Ana Power Corp., presented his company's plan to the Sangguniang Panalawigan (Provincial Board) during Tuesday's regular session.

Lanozo said proposed projects are the Malitbog HEPP that will tap the Malitbog River in Barangay Omagling, and the Kiabu and Siloo HEPP that will source power from the Siloo River in Barangay San Luis.

Each HEPP has a power capacity of 3.7MW.

The Malitbog project will cost USD17.58 million while the Siloo HEPP needs USD12.49-million funding.

He said the projects have a run-of-river concept in which the company plans to use a 3.6-kilometer steel pipe for the Malitbog HEPP and 1.8-kilometer tunnel for the Siloo project.

Lanozo said they already have negotiated leasing agreements with the land owners who will be affected by both projects.
 
However, Lanozo admitted that their water permit applications before the national water resources board are still on process.

Despite this, he said the company hopes to start the project December this year.

Vice Governor Alex P. Calingasan said the Provincial Board will look into the compliance of the company before the body decides to endorse both projects.

Malitbog is a second-class town in the northernmost part of Bukidnon, bounded in the north by the municipality of Claveria and Tagoloan town on the western side – both in Misamis Oriental province. (Mel B. Madera/PNA)