Business World Online
Posted on February 25, 2011 07:03:43 PM
Posted on February 25, 2011 07:03:43 PM
SOME AREAS of the Angat hydroelectric power plant may be rehabilitated and repaired in preparation for the summer months.
The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) said it filed a motion to the Supreme Court "that in view of the continued El Nino Phenomenon and to avoid the possibility of scarcity of potable water within the Metro Manila area, the low-level outlet and By-Pass No. 5 [of Angat] will be repaired and rehabilitated immediately."
Both are non-power components of the plants.
"That was actually just a motion informing Supreme Court that rehab works of some portions of the dam need to be undertaken," said Conrad S. Tolentino, PSALM Vice-President, in a text message to reporters. PSALM currently has a case involving Angat pending with the Supreme Court.
Mr. Tolentino added there is an existing memorandum of agreement between the National Power Corp. (Napocor) as the operator and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) regarding the repair project.
No date has been set yet for the repair.
A Napocor official said the repair is likely to cost P33 million and could be funded by the MWSS.
The dam and the hydroelectric power plant is operated by Napocor. It provides 97% of the water requirements of Metro Manila.
Angat Dam in Bulacan provides 97% of Metro Manila’s water supply. It is seen as crucial in providing water during the summer months. Last year, water levels in Angat Dam fell to 157.58 meters in July -- well below the critical level of 180 meters -- causing a water shortage in Metro Manila.
The water level in Angat is currently at 198 meters.
Ownership of Angat Dam is being disputed in court after PSALM was barred from awarding winning bidder Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) its contract.
On May 26 last year, the Supreme Court issued an indefinite temporary restraining order against PSALM and K-Water after a case questioning the legality of the bidding was filed by Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc., Freedom from Debt Coalition, Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party, Alliance of Progressive Labor and Akbayan Representative Walden Bello was filed to the court. The restraining order prevents PSALM from awarding the contract to K-Water.
The case is still pending in the Supreme Court. -- Emilia Narni J. David
Both are non-power components of the plants.
"That was actually just a motion informing Supreme Court that rehab works of some portions of the dam need to be undertaken," said Conrad S. Tolentino, PSALM Vice-President, in a text message to reporters. PSALM currently has a case involving Angat pending with the Supreme Court.
Mr. Tolentino added there is an existing memorandum of agreement between the National Power Corp. (Napocor) as the operator and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) regarding the repair project.
No date has been set yet for the repair.
A Napocor official said the repair is likely to cost P33 million and could be funded by the MWSS.
The dam and the hydroelectric power plant is operated by Napocor. It provides 97% of the water requirements of Metro Manila.
Angat Dam in Bulacan provides 97% of Metro Manila’s water supply. It is seen as crucial in providing water during the summer months. Last year, water levels in Angat Dam fell to 157.58 meters in July -- well below the critical level of 180 meters -- causing a water shortage in Metro Manila.
The water level in Angat is currently at 198 meters.
Ownership of Angat Dam is being disputed in court after PSALM was barred from awarding winning bidder Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) its contract.
On May 26 last year, the Supreme Court issued an indefinite temporary restraining order against PSALM and K-Water after a case questioning the legality of the bidding was filed by Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc., Freedom from Debt Coalition, Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party, Alliance of Progressive Labor and Akbayan Representative Walden Bello was filed to the court. The restraining order prevents PSALM from awarding the contract to K-Water.
The case is still pending in the Supreme Court. -- Emilia Narni J. David
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