San Roque power project inauguration set

The National Power Corp. (Napocor) will inaugurate the San Roque Multi-Purpose Development Project by May 1 this year.

Napocor senior vice president Roland S. Quilala said the plant is now undergoing commissioning and will be ready for commercial operation by early next month.

According to Quilala, the Napocor and the National Irrigation Authority have agreed to separate the funding for the power and the irrigation system of the power plant.

"NIA will shoulder the funding for the irrigation. The power plant is complete and ready for commercial operation. But the irrigation system is not yet ready," Quilala said.

At the same time, Napocor said it has disbursed some P73 million for the development of various social infrastructure and livelihood projects in the province of Benguet and the municipality of Itogon in fulfillment of the government’s obligation to the local government for hosting the San Roque project.

In a recent status report from Napocor’s Luzon Generation Projects Office, it was reported that as of March 2003, infrastructure funds totaling P42.5 million have been disbursed to the province of Benguet, municipality of Itogon, and Barangays Ampucao and Dalupirip.

Napocor said the funds have already been exhausted. A supplementary fund of P22 million had been allocated to Benguet and Itogon for additional infrastructure projects proposed by the local government.

The funding allocation was used for the construction of roads, water supply system, school buildings, barangay halls, purchase of vehicles, hand-held radios and computers. The disbursement also went to the development of flood control and drainage systems and foot bridges.

On top of that, Napocor funded over P7- million worth of livelihood projects for four barangays that generated income and additional livelihood to beneficiaries. These projects involved livestock raising, farming, and sewing, including capacity-building training programs and technical grants.

Apart from Napocor funds, the San Roque Power Corporation, Special Committee on Resettlement and Livelihood and Itogon Integrated Watershed Management Project have sponsored livelihood projects for affected families in Itogon.