Philippines: Napocor spends P431 M for rehab of watersheds

Philippines: Napocor spends P431 M for rehab of watersheds

State-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) is spending P431 million this year
to support the rehabilitation and management of watershed areas under its
jurisdiction.

The amount will be taken from the environmental fund under the universal
charge (UC), which was approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), Napocor is allowed to
avail from the EC-environmental fund-which is intended solely for watershed
rehabilitation and management-as long as it seeks approval from the power
regulator.

The state-run firm will use the availment for its "Plan 14" for the greening
of watershed areas.

Plan 14 covers the San Roque (Lower Agno) watershed, the Pantabangan and
Magat watersheds, where the state-run firm has a sharing scheme with the
National Irrigation Administration, and Lake Lanao-Agus River and Pulangi
watershed area.

It also covers Upper Agno Watershed Reservation, Angat Watershed
Reservation, Caliraya-Lumot Watershed Reservation, Makiling-Banahaw
Geothermal Reservations, Buhi-Barat Watershed and Tiwi Geothermal
Reservation.

Under the plan, Napocor will rehabilitate 3,059 hectares with vegetative
measures, implement reduction of sedimentation and soil erosion, increase
biodiversity of flora and fauna through conservation and ecotourism
programs, among others.

The UC is a component in electricity bills to reduce the financial
obligations of Napocor. It consists of stranded contract cost, missionary
charge and the environmental fund.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/03/12/1680128/napocor-spends-p431-m-re
hab-watersheds

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com