Kapangan hydro project up for public consultation
Posted on | Sunday 17 April 2011 | No Comments
by Lito Dar
The Cordillera Hydro Electric Cooperative (COHECO) plans to put up a mini-hydro project in this town but no permit has been issued yet as there is still a need for public consultation.
This was clarified by mayor Roberto Canuto, who explained that the the process is still under consultation, as the project still needs to be presented to the community. “There is only one side of the story, there is no permit yet as there is no Free Prior and Inform Consent (FPIC) yet. The initial plan was presented to us, municipal officials, but there is still a need for it to be presented to the people, in line with the IPRA (Indigenous People’s Right Act) law,” Canuto stressed.
Canuto explained that there was misinformation circulating regarding the issue which may have come from some people that have their own vested interest about the project, which, based on initial estimate, would cost from P9 to P11 billion pesos or around $300 million.
One issue being raised against the project is on tunneling, as according to Canuto, there is a group who does not want the conveyance to pass underground or they prefer it above ground.
He pointed out that based on the explanation given them about the technical aspect involved, if the conveyance line would be built above ground, there would be a lot of things that will be destroyed on the surface because of the large pipes. Moreover, roads will have to be built which will destroy such part of the mountain, which according to geological studies are susceptible to landslides.
Second reason given by Canuto is that if the conveyance will be built above ground, it has to follow the contour of the mountain that will affect the heading of the water (it will slow it down) which is very important as it will determine the strength of the water that will turn the turbine which will produce the electric current.
On the other hand, Canuto explained that on building the conveyor line underground, there is a fear that the water might leak above ground where their agricultural or farm products are.
“So these are the technical problems that need to be explained to the people and make them understand. From the technical to the financial side and most importantly on the projects effect on the environment,” Canuto said. (LD-PIA CAR)
The Cordillera Hydro Electric Cooperative (COHECO) plans to put up a mini-hydro project in this town but no permit has been issued yet as there is still a need for public consultation.
This was clarified by mayor Roberto Canuto, who explained that the the process is still under consultation, as the project still needs to be presented to the community. “There is only one side of the story, there is no permit yet as there is no Free Prior and Inform Consent (FPIC) yet. The initial plan was presented to us, municipal officials, but there is still a need for it to be presented to the people, in line with the IPRA (Indigenous People’s Right Act) law,” Canuto stressed.
Canuto explained that there was misinformation circulating regarding the issue which may have come from some people that have their own vested interest about the project, which, based on initial estimate, would cost from P9 to P11 billion pesos or around $300 million.
One issue being raised against the project is on tunneling, as according to Canuto, there is a group who does not want the conveyance to pass underground or they prefer it above ground.
He pointed out that based on the explanation given them about the technical aspect involved, if the conveyance line would be built above ground, there would be a lot of things that will be destroyed on the surface because of the large pipes. Moreover, roads will have to be built which will destroy such part of the mountain, which according to geological studies are susceptible to landslides.
Second reason given by Canuto is that if the conveyance will be built above ground, it has to follow the contour of the mountain that will affect the heading of the water (it will slow it down) which is very important as it will determine the strength of the water that will turn the turbine which will produce the electric current.
On the other hand, Canuto explained that on building the conveyor line underground, there is a fear that the water might leak above ground where their agricultural or farm products are.
“So these are the technical problems that need to be explained to the people and make them understand. From the technical to the financial side and most importantly on the projects effect on the environment,” Canuto said. (LD-PIA CAR)
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Benguet
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