GMA inaugurates P700-M power project in Bohol
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
PANGLAO, Bohol — Bohol has become the "most energized province in the Philippines," with the switching-on of the P700 million Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project (LBIP) Stage 2.
In a simple ceremony at the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) sub-station in barangay Imelda, Ubay, on Saturday, the President inaugurated the LBIP Stage 2 project, upgrading the existing 69,000 volts energy reserves to 138,000 volts.
This is more than enough to supply Bohol’s energy needs in the next 10 years.
The LBIP Stage 2 project is part of the multi-stage Visayas Power System Interconnection (VPSI), which will optimize the delivery of electricity generated by the Tongonan and Palimpinon geothermal plants in Leyte and Negros, respectively.
The President said that the government has spent a total amount of P2.4 billion for the completion of the VPSI, which links neighboring island provinces in the Visayas.
This will also increase energy capacity in the region and improve the stability and reliability of the power distribution system, particularly in the town of Maasin in Southern Leyte and in Bohol province.
"My brothers and sisters in Bohol, congratulations for your new transmission lines from Tongonan, Leyte up to Tagbilaran City, Ubay and the whole province of Bohol. Because of this new transmission lines for which the government has spent P2.4 billion, you now have sufficient power supply until 2014," the President said in the Visayan dialect.
She added that the LBIP submarine cables would sustain power supply in Bohol in anticipation of increased foreign investments and tourist arrivals in the province.
Transco president Alan T. Ortiz said the LBIP Stage 2 would also optimize the utilization of indigenous power coming from the geothermal field in Leyte.
He added that the P700-million project was funded partly by a loan from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
In an interview with Governor Erico Aumentado, the Bohol official stressed the importance of the LBIP in the protection and preservation of the province’s natural resources.
"This means Bohol will now be using 100 percent natural and renewable energy. No more pollutants. No more danger to the unique wildlife, marine life and flora that still inhabit our blessed island," Aumentado explained.
Assisting the President in the switching rites were Aumentado, Energy Secretary Vincent Perez, Presidential Assistant for Central Visayas Felix Guanzon, Ubay Mayor Eutiquio Bernales, Rep. Edgardo Chatto (Bohol 1st District), Rep. Roberto Cajes (Bohol 2nd District), Rep. Eladio Jala (Bohol 3rd District), and Barangay Imelda Chairman Candido Torrevillas.
posted by philpower @ 10:26 AM,
