Manila Standard Today
by Alena Mae S. Flores and Dexter A. See
LA TRINIDAD—SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. has settled P61.2 million real property taxes to Bokod, Benguet, for the first time since 1999, as advance payment for the rehabilitated electro-mechanical equipment of the 105-MW Ambuklao hydroelectric power plant about 36 kilometers away from Baguio City.
SNAP-Benguet president and chief executive Emmanuel Rubio turned over the ceremonial check for P61,260,311.52 due in 2012 to take up actual payment to Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan on Thursday provincial capitol.
Rubio said that since Ambuklao’s re-operation six months ago, its contribution to the local government has been notable.
“As we continue to operate the Ambuklao and Binga hydroelectric power plants, we can work together to make a difference in the lives of the people in areas where we operate,” he said.
SNAP-Benguet, a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corp., took over the Ambuklao power plant along with the 100 MW Binga hydroelectric power plant in 2008 in a bid for the twin plants for $325 million under the government’s power sector privatization program.
Fongwan welcomed the payment as a boost to the local economy.
“We are elated that the company has set an example for paying their real property taxes on time so that the provincial and municipal government will be able to use the funds for the development of the different communities,” he said, that 50 percent will be equally divided by the provincial and municipal school boards to bankroll their education projects.
SNAP-Benguet set restoration of the then decommissioned 75-MW Ambuklao hydropower plant in the same year, which came back on-line in June.
The plant had been on shut-down since 1999 following technical problems and siltation due to the 1990 Luzon earthquake.
The re-operation of the Ambuklao facility in 2011 enabled Bokod to collect substantial real property taxes, a source of revenue unavailable to the town since plant shut down in 1999.
Benguet Vice Governor Crescencio Pacalso, Bokod Mayor Mauricio Macay and Bokod Vice Mayor Reynaldo Tello, Jr. and members of the municipal board witnessed for the local government while SNAP-Benguet chief financial officer Eleanor Blomdahl and SN Aboitiz vice president for corporate services Michael Hosillos represented the hydroelectric power firm.
“Our constituents will now have better access to economic activities that will surely help improve their lives and help Bokod become a well developed town in the future,” Maca said.
He said SNAP meant renewed economic and development opportunities for Benguet, Bokod, and barangays Ambuklao and Tikey through the real property tax, National Wealth Tax, and access to financial benefits under laws such as Energy Regulation No. 1-94 providing benefits to host communities.
The plant also has programs for its host indigenous peoples’ community, the Shakilan ni Ikulos Peoples’ Organization.
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