SNAP says operations limited to power plant

MANILA, Philippines — Renewable energy company SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) clarified that it operates the Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant on the border of Isabela and Ifugao, but not Magat Dam, which is owned by the national government through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

SNAP issued this clarification after several social media posts and news stories erroneously identified SNAP as the owner or operator of the Magat Dam.

“SNAP does not own, manage, or operate Magat Dam and its re-regulating facilities. It took over Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant in 2007 after a successful privatization bid. Magat Dam is a multi-purpose dam primarily for irrigation and flood control. As such, the ownership, management, and operations of Magat and Maris dams and all other non-power components such as reservoirs and spillways remain with the government through the NIA,” SNAP said in a statement.

Meanwhile, SNAP has mobilized relief operations in its host and neighboring communities affected by Typhoon Ulysses.

SNAP has set aside P3.5 million for the operations which it launched on Nov.16. It is set to complete the delivery of close to P1.5M worth of relief goods by Nov. 17. The initial relief supplies were turned over to the provincial government of Isabela and Cagayan State University in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on Nov. 16.

The aid is expected to reach 2,465 families in Isabela and part of Cagayan. It consists of rice, other food supplies, and water. SNAP is also partnering with Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. in sourcing vitamins and food packs for its next wave of relief to affected communities. It is scheduled to turn over supplies to Cagayan, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya communities through its local government partners in the coming days.

SNAP is a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower. It owns and operates the Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant on the border of Isabela and Ifugao and the Maris Hydroelectric Power Plant in Isabela. The ownership, management, and operations of all non-power components such as dams, reservoirs, and spillways remain with the government.