MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (MindaNews / 13 July) – Construction of the P13-billion twin hydro projects of Hedcor Inc. is being delayed due to geological conditions and continuous rains, company officials said on Tuesday.
Gregorio Jabonilla, Hedcor vice president for business development, told reporters that the two run-of-river hydro projects have already been delayed for 110 days when their workers encountered problems at their work site in this municipality.
“Our workers are encountering soft rock during our excavation work. The sides of the mountain keep on collapsing on us,” he said.
Jabonilla said the workers have to resort to time consuming measures like constructing piles to support the soft soil formation in their work sites.
He said the onset of La Niña, which brought heavy rains every afternoon, is also an added problem.
“We would have preferred stronger granite rocks to work on. At least these will not collapse and cause delays,” he said.
Jabonilla, however, expressed optimism that despite the delays, the project will be completed by 2017 as scheduled.
The Hedcor run-of-river hydro projects are expected to generate 68.8 megawatts of electricity.
The project cuts across Guehean, Amusig and Tanaon rivers and empties into the Tagoloan river.
The 74-hectare project site is also home to endangered species like the Philippine Civet Cat, Dalampacan Fish and the Philippine Wart Pig.
Hedcor is a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, a major energy player in the Philippines.
