Private firms deny roles in Magat Dam operation

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and SN Aboitiz Power Corp. (SNAP) denied any involvement in the operation of Magat Dam, which straddles the boundary of Ifugao and Isabela provinces, amid heavy flooding in downstream towns after the onslaught of Typhoon “Ulysses.”

“We have no part in the operation of water sources or hydropower facilities such as the Magat Dam,” NGCP said in a statement. Water released from the dam contributed to the worst flooding Cagayan province has seen in four decades.

“A quick Google search will show that other organizations do operate the Magat hydro facilities,” NGCP added.

The grid operator lamented a TV network’s report during the weekend with a “mislea­ding” headline implicating the company in the flooding of areas in Cagayan Valley.

“The [headline] flashed during the above-mentioned news report gives the false impression that the local governments in Cagayan province are contemplating a legal suit against NGCP for the loss of life and damage to property caused by the flooding,” the company added.

“The sound bites from Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba and Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano included in the Nov. 14 story does not even mention NGCP at all, yet the story headline focuses on NGCP,” it added.

SNAP-Magat Inc., on the other hand, said it operates just the 360-megawatt Magat hydroelectric power plant, which it won through privati­zation in 2007. The dam itself remained with the government through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), it added.

According to the Aboitiz group’s subsidiary, Magat Dam is a multipurpose dam facility used mainly for flood control and then irrigation, and lastly for power generation. The power plant uses dam water to run the generators’ turbines.

“During typhoons, the Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) and NIA coordinate, direct and implement the needed spilling operations of the Magat dam,” SNAP-Magat said. “Spilling operations are conducted 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 the same considering that this is the sole responsibility and mandate of the government through the NIA,” it added.

The company also said it was currently helping in relief operations in Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao and Tuguegarao.

An affiliate, Cebu-based Visayan Electric Co., has also sent personnel to help in the repair of power distribution networks in Albay.

According to NGCP, all transmission lines damaged by Typhoon “Ulysses” are already available except for one.

The grid operator said the 69-kilovolt Ligao-Polangui line was ready to go online but it has yet to be reenergized pending the readiness of Albay Power and Energy Corp. to receive electricity supply.