Gov’t, not SN Aboitiz, owns and operates Magat Dam

posted November 17, 2020 at 08:50 pm by Alena Mae S. Flores
https://manilastandard.net/business/power-technology/339752/gov-t-not-sn-aboitiz-owns-and-operates-magat-dam.html

SN Aboitiz Power Corp., a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corp. on Tuesday clarified that it operates the Magat hydro power plant on the borders of Isabela and Ifugao, but not Magat Dam, which is owned by the national government through the National Irrigation Administration.

“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,” SNAP said in a statement.

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

“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 remained with the government through the National Irrigation Administration,” the company said.

SNAP said it mobilized relief operations in its host and neighboring communities affected by Typhoon Ulysses. The company said it allocated P3.5 million for the operations which it launched on Nov. 16. It is set to complete the delivery of close to P1.5 million worth of relief goods on 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.

Initial relief supplies from SN Aboitiz Power were turned over to Cagayan State University on Nov. 16.

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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 said it also teamed up 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 local government partners in the coming days.

National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, the operator of the power grid, earlier denied reports linking the company to the flooding in Cagayan Valley region.

“With regard to a misleading banner flashed during a news story on the Cagayan flood aired on Nov. 14 and again during the coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Cagayan on Nov. 15, NGCP would like to clarify that it has nothing to do with flooding in the Cagayan Valley area, or anywhere else in the country,” NGCP said in a statement.

NGCP, the private concessionaire and the system operator for the national transmission grid, said it had no part in the operation of water sources or hydo power facilities such as the Magat Dam.