Baguio utility calls for investors

BAGUIO CITY—Emboldened by businessman Manuel Pangilinan’s offer to develop Baguio’s water supply, the power utility servicing the city and Benguet province has called on other investors to consider financing power generation projects.

The Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) has announced that it welcomes a financial partnership to develop mini-hydroelectric power facilities in two towns in the province.

Pangilinan, who is chair of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Philex Mining Corp., last July offered to develop the city’s water supply.

Taking his cue, water companies owned by former Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., Lucio Tan and the Ayala Group of Companies have also expressed interest in supplying potable water to the summer capital, said Salvador Royeca, general manager of the Baguio Water District (BWD).

“If the BWD can get that offer, then Beneco is also asking investors to consider the developments in [Baguio’s] power distribution,” said Gerardo Verzosa, Beneco general manager.

The utility has begun to draw up new projects aimed at improving the system for Baguio and Benguet, beginning with a 3-megawatt mini-hydro facility in Buguias town, Verzosa said.

Beneco is exploring a power plant project in two other towns, hoping to generate 13 MW of electricity and reduce its reliance on other power generators, he said.

The cooperative is pursuing a plan to set up underground power cabling for downtown Baguio, which would require total reengineering of the power system servicing the business district. This would mean burying 21 kilometers of cable under the streets, which could cost up to P700 million.

Verzosa said Beneco was introducing an automated metering system so that the amount of household consumption every hour would be relayed directly to a server. The automated meter allows the cooperative to provide prepaid electricity, he said.

Baguio and Benguet’s growing economies have also attracted Villar’s Prime Water Infrastructure Corp., which services subdivisions, and Ayala’s Manila Water Co. Inc. These firms had already notified the BWD and the city government that they plan to conduct feasibility studies of the city’s water consumption.

Water distribution in certain areas of the city is rationed because the population, which has grown to 300,000, has exceeded resources, BWD records showed.