Hydro Power Experts visit Libacao

Dateline LIBACAO

By: Alex E. Dionela

A group of foreign experts in the design, construction and operation of hydro power projects visited this town to validate technical data and other information obtained by the on-going topographic survey being conducted by a Manila-based surveying firm as part of the feasibility study and engineering design preparations relative to the proposed Aklan Hydro Power project in this municipality. This is the 5^th electric power project in the country of the California Energy Int’l., a US-based company and subsidiary of the Mid-American Holdings, the world leader in energy power generation business.

In this particular trip with Raymond Cunningham, Business Development Executive of Cal Energy were Peter Crighton of Maunsell-Phils., a London-based engineering firm that specializes in hydro power projects, Jim Palmer, an expert in tunnel design and construction, Phil Naughton of Leighton Contractors, an Australia-based general contractor engaged in the construction of mega-structures and few other technical men of their respective companies. All of these firms are reputable institutions in the industry that operates in many parts of the world.

They came on June 19^th all the way from Manila to Kalibo airport via direct flight of a chartered private plane and by another chartered chopper from Kalibo airport to Poblacion in Libacao and to the proposed project site in barangays Manika, Oyang and Dalagsaan.

These foreign visitors were welcomed by Mayor Charito Navarosa and other local officials in an improvised landing area at the dried portion of the Aklan River in Poblacion. And before proceeding to the proposed project site, a brief conference was conducted by the aforesaid top Cal Energy official in order to orient local officials on the purpose of the trip and discuss other issues relevant to the project.

The itinerary of travel included, the aerial reconnaissance survey of Libacao’s political territory, particularly the watershed area and the actual ocular survey of the proposed location of said project’s major components, such as the dam, tunnel, power plant and road ways.

Thereafter on June 29-30, another group consisting of three Filipino engineers of Leighton Contractors came over to assess local condition and look into the most convenient way of transporting said project’s construction materials and supplies from Manila to Libacao and finally to the project site in barangays Manika, Oyang and Dalagsaan, all in this town.

Please log on to website: www.libacao.gov.ph