ITOGON, Benguet, Monday March 21, 2011 – Ambuklao dam, which is undergoing rehabilitation, is set to be fully operational this September assured SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) – Benguet VP for Corporate Affairs. Atty. Mike Hosillos.

Hosillos, in an interview during the launching of the 9th Mt. Ugo Summer Climb, in Itogon , Friday said the First (Hydro Powerplant) Unit of Ambuklao Dam will be ready for operation this June, the second unit by July or August. As scheduled, all three units will be operational by September which can produce a maximum power 105 mega watts (MW).

As for the Binga Dam, Hosillos said rehabilitation will start April and will be completed in two years time or by 2013, with generating capacity to increase to 120 MW, from its present generating capacity of 100MW.

Now that the summer season is near, Hosillos assured they remain optimistic as far as the power generation of hydro power plants are concerned. “At this point maganda ang elevation ng tubig sa ating mga dam, maganda rin ang inflow ng water, since January which gives assurance na aabot sa normal high level ang tubig sa ating mga dam,” Hosillos said.

“Wala tayong dapat ikatakot, hindi katulad noong first quarter of 2010 na mababa ang level ng tubig. Ayon din sa projection ng PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration) magkakaroon tayo ngayon ng wet summer,” Hosillos added. (There is no cause for worry.Unlike during the first quarter of 2010 the water level is low. But PAGASA projects we will have a wet summer)

On the recent occurrences of earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan, Hosillos also assured the public that in partnership with the National Power Corporation (NPC), they are continuously inspecting and monitoring, the facilities of Binga and as well as that of Magat Dam, to ensure the maximum safety and security of the local communities.

Hosillos also assured that maintenance and rehabilitation of the dams are also kept on international standards. “Ngayong may sunod-sunod na paglindol ay tuloy-tuloy an gaming inspection at monitoring sa ting mga dam at wala naman kaming nakitang mga problema, na dulot ng mga insedente ng paglindol, na maaring maka-apekto sa mga local na komyunidad,” Hosillos assured.

SNAP – Benguet for the fifth consecutive year as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, is co-sponsoring Itogon Benguet’s 9th Mt. Ugo Summer Climb which is set on April 8 – 10, with a theme: Mountain Leisure Amidst Climate Change”.

Those who are interested to join, can contact the Department of Tourism (DOT-CAR) at telephone no. (074) 442-8848 or Ms. Liza Diase of the Itogon Mayor’s Office at cellphone number – 0910-5482678. * (PIA CAR)