SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, the National Power Corp. (NPC), and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) recently conducted their annual public information drive (PID) on Ambuklao and Binga Dams and Reservoir Operations—but there was something different this year.
The information drive, now on its 9th year, deviated from the traditional physical gathering and was instead done virtually, consistent with national and local regulations on social distancing and other COVID-19 measures.
It started on August 1, with the distribution of flyers (with proper observance of physical distancing and protective gear requirements) and posting of links to information videos on a streaming platform.
The annual PID is conducted to promote safety and preparedness through greater awareness on the dam discharge warning protocol, emergency action plan, flood forecasting and warning, and radio communication network involved in operation of Ambuklao and Binga dams and reservoirs.
The PID covers barangays Ambuklao, Dalupirip, and Tinongdan and the municipalities of Bokod and Itogon.
Safety is one of SNAP-Benguet’s core values, and together with its partners, they remain committed to this value through safety campaigns even during this unprecedented COVID-19 situation.
“Community safety is a major component of SNAP’s corporate social responsibility program,” said SN Aboitiz Power Vice President for Corporate Affairs Mike C. Hosillos.
“The videos we have produced on the warning protocol during dam discharge is our continuing commitment to our communities to enhance awareness during emergency situations. With these videos, we hope to reach a wider audience in the concerned areas and raise the level of preparedness of our communities in these events,” he added.
SNAP-Benguet, NPC, and PSALM together form a technical working group (TWG) on the operations and maintenance of the Ambuklao and Binga dams, which are government-owned.
SNAP-Benguet, a joint venture between SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower, owns and operates the 105-MW Ambuklao hydro in Bokod and the 140-MW Binga hydro in Itogon.
