The 68.8-MW Manolo Fortich Hydropower Project in Bukidnon contributes to the economic growth of the province by providing local employment and patronizing local suppliers.
Hedcor Vice President Boy Jabonillo stressed the need to help the people in the community where the power company operates.
Hedcor is permitted to excavate about a 6-km tunnel to be used in channeling the diverted water from the river. The steel ribs support are being fabricated by the two local-based companies from Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City.
“We want to help them grow. By patronizing our own, we are helping the economy to grow as well. We are helping the community to generate jobs,” he said.
Some materials needed for the construction are directly ordered from local suppliers. “It is high time to acknowledge the best works of our local manufacturers. We are giving full support to the local manufacturers as they can compete with the global market’s quality,” Jabonillo said.
ESBE Industrial Builders & Contractors Corporation based in Davao and First Asian Metals Corporation based in Cagayan de Oro City, are supplying some 600 sets of Steel Ribs Support (SRS) for the 6-km tunnel that will connect Hedcor’s Manolo Fortich hydropower plants.
Abel Mata, 31, is working with the local pipeline-manufacturer based in Mindanao. Hedcor is set to finish the installation of about 18-kms of conveyance pipes which will channel a portion of water from the river to the power plant to produce electricity.
Meanwhile, a power firm secured license to excavate the tunnel from the local government units of Bukidnon. The Environment Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources also grants the company permission to undertake the excavation.
Manolo Fortich Hydro is expected to generate power by the third quarter of 2017, benefiting 10,000 households in Mindanao. And, this particular project generates about 800 to 1,000 local jobs.
Hedcor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower that develops renewable energy source across the country.