Lubuagan eyed for hydro project

SAN LORENZO Ruiz Builders and Developers Group Inc. is eyeing the municipality of

Lubuagan in Kalinga for the setup of a hydroelectric dam project in the town.

Jonas Azuelo, spokesperson of the company confirmed the project hopes to generate 150 mega watt.

Azuelo said the service contract for the Lubuagan area was issued by the Department of Energy as early as 2014 and the company is revisiting possibilities now, after failed attempts to set up years ago.

Lubuagan Mayor Johnny Dickpus is welcoming the company in the town anew after talks collapsed in the past because of opposition from locals.

The area of the project has since been relocated from the Lucog area to a new site yet to be disclosed.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group Inc. is exploring possibilities in other areas in the province after elders submitted a petition of protest to the 52MW hydroelectric dam project along the Chico River.

The project is spearheaded by Oscar Violago of Nueva Ecija under the San Lorenzo Builders and Developers Group (Karayan Incorporated).

Opposition include members of the Naneng, Dallak and Minanga sub tribes and the residents of sitio Banat, Bagumbayan who have land directly to be affected by the project.

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples regional director Ronald Calde has ruled to resolve all impasses before proceeding with the Kalinga Chico river project.

Calde said if and when these conflicts are resolved, it is only when the project will continue its Free, Prior and Informed Consent [FPIC] process.