IPs, NCIP, power firm ink pact for social projects

By Benjamin Moses M. Ebreo

Saturday 4th of August 2012

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya, Aug 4 (PIA) -- Tribal folks here signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) yesterday with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) and a power company, allowing the implementation of social development projects for their community.

Through the MOA, Smith Bell Mini Hydro Corporation shall allocate P100,000 yearly as share of benefits to the Ayangan tribe whose communities are covered by the company’s operation of 1.8-megawatt mini-hydropower plant in Barangay Commonal in this town.

The Ayangan community covers barangays Commonal in Solano, Ipil-Cuneg and Cabuaan of Bayombong and Cabuluan and Ocapon in Villaverde town.

The MOA was signed by officials of the Ayangan tribe, NCIP and Knud Hedeager, chairman of the Smith Bell Mini Hydro Corporation. The event was witnessed by representative Carlos Padilla, board member Lambert Galima and officials of the Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative (NUVELCO).

“I am happy that we have reached a productive result because it will benefit the tribe. This MOA will also form as a basis for other development projects on renewable energy production,” Hedeager said.

He added that the yearly fund will be poured on educational, environmental and health development projects within the Ayangan ancestral domain of the three municipalities.

Smith Bell is one of the new power players in the country, and was incorporated in the local Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2009.

Its P207-million newly constructed run-of-river power plant is connected to the 13.2-kilovolt distribution system of the NUVELCO.

In 2007, the Ayangan communities allowed the construction of the mini-hydro project by giving their consent under the Free Prior and Informed Consent of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act. (BME/PIA 2-Nueva Vizcaya)