TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A 40-megawatt solar power farm is expected to rise in the city once the proponents are able to complete the requirements for the put up of this renewable energy plant to help in reducing the current high cost of power in the whole province.
Mayor Darwin C. Estran֮ero stated that the proponents of the put up of the solar farm are now currently completing the requirements for it to be issued the service contract for the construction of the renewable energy plant in a still undisclosed site in the city.
He pointed out that aside from providing employment opportunities for qualified local residents, the put up of the said solar power farm will contribute in the generation of sufficient supply of renewable energy that will help in lowering the prevailing high cost of power in the province and increase the opportunities of the local government to generate additional revenue from the real property and business taxes the proponent will be paying to the city.
Tabuk is a component city established by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 9404 ratified by the city’s electorate on June 24, 2007 and it recently celebrated its 15th founding anniversary as a city. It also celebrated its 72nd founding anniversary as a municipality by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 533 which was issued on June 16, 1950.
Mayor Estrañero claimed that the proponents of the solar power farm have determined the site for the construction of the renewable energy plant but pertinent details of the plan will have to be put on hold awaiting the issuance of the required service contract by the energy department to allow the company to push through with the project.
Aside from the put up of a solar power farm, the city chief executive disclosed there are also companies proposing the put up of minihydro power plants in strategic areas in the city to help in maximizing the renewable energy potentials of the city to provide alternative sources of energy, especially with the upcoming depletion of the Malampaya gas fields that is providing some 2,500 megawatts of clean energy to the grid.
However, he emphasized that the proponents must be able to secure the free and prior informed consent (FPIC) of the indigenous peoples in the city for the eventual realization of the project that will help in spurring economic activities and provide additional sources of livelihood for the people in the future.
The mayor stipulated that investments to be infused by the proponents of the solar farm and other renewable energy facilities in the city will definitely contribute in creating job opportunities for qualified residents, aside from opening the opportunities for other industries but without sacrificing agriculture, the main source of livelihood of the people.
The Regional Development Council in the Cordillera is grooming Tabuk City as the future growth center of the region with the initial establishment of the Eastern Kalinga Growth Center covering the towns of Pinukpuk, Rizal and Tanudan and Tabuk City comprising the said growth area.
Tabuk City is the third largest city in the country with a land area of more than 700.25 square kilometers. The first two largest cities in the country are Davao City and Ilagan City in nearby Isabela Province.