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The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and SN Aboitiz Power Corp. (SNAP) denied any involvement in the operation of the Magat dam, which straddles the boundary of the Ifugao and Isabela provinces, in the middle of the heavy flooding in downstream cities after Typhoon “Ulysses” attack.
“We do not participate in the operation of water sources or hydroelectric facilities such as the Magat dam,” NGCP said in a statement. The water released by the dam contributed to the worst flooding in Cagayan province in four decades.
“A quick Google search will show that other organizations do operate Magat’s hydroelectric facilities,” added NGCP.
The network operator regretted a television station report over the weekend with a “misleading” headline implicating the company in the flooding of areas in the Cagayan Valley.
“The [headline] flashed during the aforementioned news report gives the false impression that local governments in the province of Cagayan are contemplating a lawsuit against NGCP for loss of life and property damage caused by the floods, ”the company added.
“The sound bites of Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba and Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano included in the November 14 story don’t even mention NGCP, but the headline of the story focuses on NGCP,” he added.
SNAP-Magat Inc., on the other hand, said it operates only the 360 megawatt Magat hydroelectric plant, which it gained through privatization in 2007. The dam itself remained in government hands through the National Irrigation Administration ( NIA), he added. .
According to the Aboitiz group subsidiary, Magat Dam is a multipurpose dam that is used mainly for flood control and then for irrigation and finally for power generation. The power plant uses dam water to run the generator turbines.
“During typhoons, Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) and NIA coordinate, direct and implement the necessary spill operations from the Magat Dam,” said SNAP-Magat. “The spill operations are carried out by the NIA following an established dam discharge protocol and in coordination with Pagasa”.
“SNAP-Magat is not involved in the operation of the dam and spillway, and has never been involved in it considering that this is the exclusive responsibility and mandate of the government through the NIA,” he added.
The company also said that it is currently assisting in relief operations in Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao and Tuguegarao.
An affiliate, Visayan Electric Co., based in Cebu, has also dispatched personnel to assist in the repair of power distribution networks in Albay.
According to NGCP, all of the transmission lines damaged by Typhoon “Ulysses” are now available except one.
The grid operator said the 69-kilovolt Ligao-Polangui line was ready to go online, but has not yet been reactivated pending Albay Power and Energy Corp. is ready to receive electricity supply.
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