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Aboitiz Group clarifies it runs the Magat hydro plant, not Magat Dam


The Aboitiz Group on Tuesday clarified that it operates the Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant on the border of Isabela and Cagayan, not the Magat Dam owned by the national government through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

In an emailed statement, the group said its renewable energy company SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) is not connected to the Magat Dam, as reported in several social media posts and news stories.

"SNAP does not own, manage, or operate Magat dam and its re-regulating facilities. It took over Magat hydroelectric power plant in 2007 after a successful privatization bid," the statement read.

"Magat Dam is a multi-purpose dam primarily for irrigation and flood control. As such, the ownership, management, and operations of Magat and Maris dams and all other non-power components such as reservoirs and spillways remained with the government through the National Irrigation Administration," it added.

The statement comes after a series of typhoons hit the Philippines, the latest of which Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) claimed at least 67 lives and caused over P1 billion in damage.

The typhoon exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday morning, but heavy rains and the release of water from the Magat Dam and other reservoirs brought about massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela.

Residents of Cagayan over the weekend were reported to be looking at the possibility of suing the operator of Magat Dam for the yearly floods hitting the northern Luzon province.

For its part, the NIA said the gates of the Magat Dam had to be opened since last week amid heavy rains from Typhoon Ulysses to prevent from breaking and causing a bigger catastrophe.

This was mirrored by President Rodrigo Duterte who said releasing water from dams was necessary to avoid a catastrophe. — DVM, GMA News

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