TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Philippines – Noting the economic growth in the province of Lanao del Norte, a P1,457,350,000 hydropower plant project was proposed and approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and Provincial Planning and Development Office.

The construction of the 11.9-megawatt run-of-river type hydropower plant in Barangay Pagayawan, Bacolod town, includes a dam, penstock, transmission lines, a power house, and access road.

The provincial government conducted project preparation activities, site acquisition, and other project documentation in preparation for its start.

This development project is a public-private-partnership (PPP) with the local government units (LGUs) intended to acquire roads, lands, and social mobilization facilities.

The main objective of the construction of power plant in the province is a big factor in the effort of alleviating power shortage.

It will also provide sufficient and cheap supply of power within the Misamis-Iligan Corridor, and the more than 573,000 inhabitants of Lanao del Norte and other neighboring provinces and cities in Northern Mindanao.

“Governor Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo is really bent to push through this power project because of growing investments in the province, and also help ease the power problem in Mindanao,” said provincial development coordinator Brigida S. Tangonan.

She also said the power program of the provincial government is a vital factor in the province-wide Mariculture and Aqua Tourism project, which is now being eyed by foreign investors, particularly Chinese investors, to tie-up with the provincial government and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).