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MANILA, Philippines – SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) clarified Tuesday that it operates the Magat hydroelectric plant on the Isabela-Ifugao border and not the government-controlled Magat dam, which is widely blamed for the massive flooding in the province of Cagayan. last week.
The firm, a joint venture between Aboitiz Power and SN Power of Norway, issued the statement after social media posts and news stories allegedly identified SNAP as the owner or operator of the Magat dam.
“SNAP does not own, manage, or operate the Magat dam and its re-regulation facilities,” said SN Aboitiz.
“It took over the Magat hydroelectric plant in 2007 after a successful privatization tender. Magat Dam is a multi-purpose dam primarily for irrigation and flood control, ”he said.
It added: “As such, the ownership, management and operations of the Magat and Maris dams and all other non-electrical components, such as reservoirs and spillways, remained in government hands through the National Irrigation Administration.”
The day after Typhoon Ulises hit the ground in Luzon, the Magat dam opened seven gates during an entire day, causing the worst flooding in Cagayan in decades. Massive floods forced thousands of residents to flee their homes.
But the NIA argued that it followed proper protocols to release water from the dam’s reservoir.
SNAP relief operations
The power company set aside P3.5 million for relief operations for those affected by the typhoon.
It is scheduled to complete the delivery of relief items worth about P1.5M on Tuesday. Initial relief supplies were delivered to the Isabela provincial government and Cagayan State University in the city of Tuguegarao, Cagayan on Monday. [ac]
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