BENGUET PROVINCE, Philippines – As part of the collective effort to foster safety and meaningful collaboration, SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAP-Benguet), the National Power Corporation (NPC), and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) held the annual public information drives (PIDs) on the Ambuklao and Binga Dams and Reservoir Operations from June 4 to 6, 2024.
Local communities of barangays Ambuklao, Dalupirip and Tinongdan which host Ambuklao and Binga hydro plants learned about dam operations and safety measures. Around 400 community members participated in the PIDs.
Dam owners NPC and PSALM gave briefings on flood forecasting and warning, dam safety programs while the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) discussed hydro-meteorological hazards.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Bokod and Itogon presented contingency plan as SNAP-Benguet discussed protocols on dam operations under normal conditions, dam Emergency Protocol/Emergency Action Plan (EAP), and an overview of the company’s river safety program.
A health and safety campaign called ALWAD (Ang Ligtas at Wastong Aksyon sa Paligid ng Dam) was also launched during the PIDs. ALWAD is SNAP’s unified health and safety information campaign intended to raise community awareness and encourage safe action around the dam vicinities.
It stresses prevention, preparedness, and appropriate response to safety and emergency situations surrounding dams, waterways, and watersheds.
SNAP-Benguet prioritizes safety in its operations.
By working together with its partners, they are building a resilient community by providing the knowledge, skills, and resources required to prevent and respond to natural disasters.
SNAP-Benguet, NPC, and PSALM are members of a technical working group that ensures the safe and reliable operation of the Ambuklao and Binga dams.
The dams remain government-owned while the hydropower plants are operated by SNAP-Benguet.
About SNAP-Benguet:
SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAP-Benguet) is a joint venture of Scatec and Aboitiz Power Corporation (AP).
Scatec is a leading renewable energy solutions provider, accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy in emerging markets. As a long-term player, they develop, build, own and operate renewable energy plants, with 4.6 GW in operation and under construction across four continents today. They are committed to growing their renewable energy capacity, delivered by their 800 passionate employees and partners who are driven by a common vision of ‘Improving our Future’. Scatec is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ‘SCATC’.
AP is the holding company of the Philippines-based Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services. It advances business and communities by providing reliable and ample power supply at a reasonable and competitive price, and with the least adverse effects on the environment and host communities.
SNAP-Benguet owns and operates the 112.5-MW Ambuklao and 140-MW Binga hydroelectric power plants in Benguet. The non-power components such as dams, reservoirs, and spillways are owned and managed by the government. In line with established protocols, SNAP operates the spillway gates during normal conditions and the government takes over operations during extraordinary conditions.