Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr., who chairs the Regional Development Council in the Caraga Region (RDC-13), welcomed the inauguration by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the 24.9-megawatt Lake Mainit Hydro Power Plant in the Agusan del Sur town of Jabonga Wednesday. Demerey joined President Marcos who led the unveiling of the project in Barangay Magdagooc, Jabonga. ‘This is a momentous occasion as the activity, led by our President, will shape the future of our region, and the nation in general,’ Demerey said in an interview at the sideline of the event. He said the hydropower project stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the government to sustainable development, innovation, and the pursuit of clean energy. ‘The project is timely with our pressing need for more power supply and at the same time reduce our reliance on fossil fuels as we transition towards renewable sources of power,’ Demerey said. The RDC-13 chair also highlighted the growing economy of the region, which will be complemented by the new project. ‘In 2022, the region’s economy rebounded to 5.9 percent, and among the industries that posted the highest increase that included the construction sector with 19.3 percent, followed by accommodation and food services at 19.2 percent, and other services at 16.8 percent,’ Demerey said. Moreover, Demerey said the project will provide electricity to homes, businesses, industries, and reduce the carbon footprint, and preserve the environment in the region. ‘This project aligns perfectly with our commitment to combat climate change and protect the natural resources that define our region,’ he added. The APC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lake Mainit Hydro Holdings Corporation, a partnership between the Filipino energy player Markham Resources Corporation and the Japanese Firm J-Power. Top officials in Agusan del Norte who joined the President during the inauguration also welcomed the operations of the Lake Mainit Hydro Power Plant in the province. ‘I am confident that this will be the start of other opportunities that would open up in our province, be it in the harnessing of other sources of power generation or establishment of livelihood projects,’ Agusan del Norte Gov. Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante said in her welcome message during the inauguration activity. The hydropower plant, she said, will not only provide a cheaper source of electricity in Agusan del Norte but will also solve flooding problems in the area. ‘We will be able to save more or less 60 hectares of rice lands for our farmers to cultivate and reclaim additional 30 hectares of land area due to the subsided water,’ Amante said. The provincial government, she said, will also ensure that the communities near the project site will remain peaceful and orderly.
Source: Philippines News Agency
