Libanan hails re-energized Eastern Samar hydropower plan
HOUSE Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan hailed the revival of the 1-megawatt (MW) Amanjuray Hydropower Plant in Eastern Samar, saying it would help ease the province’s lingering electricity supply problem.
“We are counting on the hydropower plant’s restoration to help provide relief to Eastern Samar residents that have long been reeling from recurring outages and elevated electricity rates,” Libanan said.
“The Department of Energy should encourage the development of small, environment-friendly renewable energy projects in the countryside to address rural electrification,” Libanan said.
Libanan previously represented Eastern Samar’s lone congressional district for three consecutive terms. He is now 4Ps party-list representative.
The lawmaker was keynote speaker at the ceremonial blessing and inauguration of the Amanjuray hydropower plant in Brgy. Bolusao, Lawaan.
The event was also attended by Eastern Samar Vice Governor Maricar Goteesan, National Electrification Administration (NEA) chief Antonio Mariano Almeda and Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (ESAMELCO) general manager Jose Michael Edwin Amancio.
The Amanjuray hydropower plant is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric system that harvests the energy from the flowing water generated by the Amanjuray Falls, one of the four waterfalls in the Bolusao River Watershed Forest Reserve.
The hydropower plant was originally built by the NEA in 1991 with the help of a grant from the United Kingdom. The NEA has since transferred the facility to ESAMELCO Renewable Energy Corp., which rehabilitated the system.
Following the inauguration of the Amanjuray hydropower plant, Libanan and other officials also graced the launch of ESAMELCO’s new 20-MVA substation in Borongan City.
Last year, Libanan filed House Resolution (HR) No. 846, which sought a congressional inquiry into Eastern Samar’s power issues that caused electricity rates to shoot up amid frequent outages.
