Work underway for Hedcor’s 68.8 MW run-of-river hydropower project in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, is now 50% complete, the AboitizPower subsidiary has announced.
Groundwork at the project started in April last year and work is expected to finish by the 3rd quarter of 2017. Some 2000 locals are employed on the work by Hedcor’s contractors – Sta Clara International Corporation and JV Angeles Construction Corporation.
Despite continuous rain, excavation works within the 74 hectares construction area are due for completion in few months. The installation of pipelines is scheduled to finish within this quarter while concreting works
focused at the weirs and desanders are on schedule. The project’s two powerhouse are soon expected to start rising.
Manolo Fortich is the first hydropower project of Hedcor in the Province of Bukidnon and the biggest capacity undertaken so far. It will harness the three rivers of Bukidnon – Tanaon, Guihean, and Amusig.
Along with the construction stage, Hedcor said it continues to commit its obligation to give CSR projects to the Higaonon community. Recently, the company volunteered in the Brigada Exkwela and provided some thousand students’ sets of school supplies and educational materials. A brand new school building with a total of six classrooms are being used by the Higaonon children and another two school buildings are scheduled to be constructed this year. The company has allotted a total of P4.3 million for CSR projects for the tribe in 2016 alone, with more CSR projects to be undertaken during operations of the power plants.
Reforestation is also in the priority of Hedcor. Over a 100,000 trees have been planted in Bukidnon adding to the 1.8 million trees planted and monitored by Hedcor.
Last month, Hedcor’s contractor Sta Clara was recognized for achieving 1 million safe man-hours without a lost time accident on the Manolo Fortich Hydro 2 Project.
