There is now a heated competition—and there is indeed a rush or a race— for the exploitation of hydropower in this region. From Kalinga to Besao, Mountain Province (which borders Abra) and Ifugao on the Cagayan Valley side, people are strategizing on how to be the gainers from whatever bounty the water flowing in this region’s mountains could offer.
Ahead in the game is of course the Aboitiz Group of companies which virtually locked-in the juiciest hydropower sites in Benguet. But there are still parts that remain untapped. Now, BENECO is entering the game, belatedly. For all its efforts’ worth, it will result in more benefits to hosts of hydropower operations.
Now, the Aboitiz Group needs a paradigm shift in its strategy with the entry of BENECO. Now there is a move by the electric cooperatives in the Cordillera for the Department of Energy to look into the offers of hydropower operators to the people. We would not be surprised if BENECO is behind this move. The bottom line is, the old ways to get indigenous peoples to enter into contracts with hydropower companies will not do or will not be sufficient anymore.
The Aboitiz Group does not only have a headstart in Benguet. Its subsidiary, Hedcor Sabangan, started operating in Mountain Province a few years ago. In Besao, Mountain Province, Atty. Richard Stone Pooten is almost done with the community ground works for his group’s planned minihydro project in an outlying river there. They might start construction soon.
Over in Kalinga, a number of hydropower plans are in the pipeline and one has already begun construction work. Its first micro hydro started operating a year or two ago.
In Ifugao it is already benefiting from the Magat dam and there are several micro and mini hydro projects already on the table.
As to the hydropower potential of Abra, it is practically virgin territory. Soon, prospectors will be there combing for possibilities.
Not only the people will benefit. Even collectors of “revolutionary taxes” which some call “extortionists” will be smiling on their way to the bank.**