Pangapuyan Island energized

THE NATIONAL Power Corporation or NPC has inaugurated its diesel power plant on the island-barangay of Pangapuyan in Zamboanga City.

Pangapuyan is the first of the five island-barangays in Zamboanga that the government-owned and controlled corporation has energized. The 10kw diesel power plant in Pangapuyan is also the first in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces where NPC serves as distribution utility. 

The facility was formally switched on October 9 and will benefit hundreds of islanders who lauded the NPC for the project. Pangapuyan has nearly 1,000 inhabitants, mostly fishermen and seaweed farmers. 

The inauguration of the power plant was led by Yahcob Darayan, NPC’s Department Manager for Small Power Utilities Group - Mindanao Operations. 

Among those who witnessed the inauguration were Conrad Isahac, NPC’s Division Manager for Western Mindanao Operations; and Arnel Rodriguez, Omar Antocan of the NPC’s Power Engineering Services, including Richard Brique, the power plant’s head; and Barangay Captain Khadafy Jailani. 

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Pangapuyan diesel plant is an “Energy Project of National Significance for Commercial Phase” and in consonance with the policy thrusts and specific goals of the Philippine Energy Plan of the Department of Energy. 

The island-barangays of Tumalutap are also expected to have its own 40kw diesel power plant; Great Santa Cruz Island with 10kw diesel power plant and Tictabon Island with 90kw diesel power plant – all under the proponent of the NPC. 

Last February, Mayor Beng Climaco inaugurated the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (Salintubig) Program and assured that the local government will continue working with the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) to ensure potable water supply where it is needed. 

Climaco together with ZCWD General Manager Leonardo Rey Vasquez and ZCWD Chairman of the Board Arnold Atilano, and officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and barangay officials led by Chairman Jose Vicente Ramillano held the inauguration in Barangay Quiniput.

The mayor said some 12,000 meters of pipelines were laid to provide potable water supply to Barangays Talon-Talon, Maasin, Patalon, Recodo, Cawit, Mampang and Quiniput.

The program is designed to provide water supply systems for barangays and enhance the capacity of the local governments and water service providers in the planning, implementation, and operation of water supply facilities. It also aims to increase water service for the waterless population by 50% and reduce incidence of water-borne and sanitation related diseases by 20% and to improved access of the poor to sanitation services by at least 10%. (Zamboanga Post)