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DOE condemns NPA attack on hydropower plant project in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- The Energy department on Tuesday condemned the attack by communist rebels on a hydropower plant project in the village of Lumbayao in Valencia City, Bukidnon over the weekend.

Calling the Feb. 25 occurrence as unwarranted, "the attack was not a military installation, but a development project that seeks to contribute to alleviate the socioeconomic condition of the people," Department of Energy (DOE)Secretary Alfonso Cusi stressed.

In a statement released to the media Tuesday, Cusi said that the attack would stall the project’s construction time table set in the first half of 2019, and a setback in an effort to improve the quality of life of the people of Bukidnon.

“We are aiming to facilitate the development of all alternative and indigenous energy supply for the people of Mindanao. We want the people living there to feel the presence of progress, yet the NPAs are stealing that chance from them,” Cusi said.

According to the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, about 15 fully armed NPA fighters entered the proposed 10.6-megawatt Pulanai hydroelectric power plant site and confiscated the cellphone of workers, fired several shots after planting a couple of Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs).

A team from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal from the 8th Infantry Battalion was sent to go after the insurgents and disarm and recover the IEDs.

“The National Democratic Front has been urging the Duterte administration to resume the peace talk, but the NPA attack on a development project does not inspire confidence and sincerity of their desire to return to the negotiating table,” Cusi said.

Last December, President Rodrigo Duterte personally visited the site to grace the power plant’s groundbreaking and in his speech pleaded with the NPA to spare the project from attacks.

The President said the Pulanai plant, owned and operated by Repower Energy Development Corp., is one of the power generation facilities seen to boost economic activity in the area. (PNA)

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