For 2014 flashflood; Damage sought vs power coop

LOBOC, BOHOL, Philippines — Residents of Loay and Loboc towns–where the Loboc River traverses–have asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to slap a P100-million fine on Bohol Electric Cooperative 1 (BOHECO I), and revoke its environmental compliance certificate for operating a hydro plant in Sevilla town.

The complainants, calling themselves the Association of Flood Victims of Sevilla Hydro Power Plant in Loboc and Loay, filed the 19-page complaint on May 19 at the DENR, thru the director's office of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

The group, consisting of 22 complainants from Loboc and 22 more from Loay, filed the complaint against BOHECO 1 and included the DENR regional director and the senior environmental management specialist of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).

BOHECO I–owner and operator of Sevilla Mini-Hydro Power Plant at Barangay Ewon in Sevilla, Bohol–is a holder of ECC No. 07 0303-040089 201 for its 2.5-megawatt hydro plant. It also owns and operates a hydro plant at Barangay Hanopol in Balilihan, Bohol.

The Sevilla mini-hydro plant has been impounding some 1,951,000 cubic meters of water for its 2.5-megawatt power generation. One of the ECC terms/conditions is that "BOHECO 1 should be held responsible for whatever damages within the adjoining properties."

When typhoon Seniang hit the province on December 29, 2014, the "Sevilla Mini-Hydro Power Plant let loose no less than two million cubic meters of water to the Loboc River downstream," and BOHECO 1 also "set free huge volume of water from its Hanopol Hydro-Power Plant," said the complainants.

"The release of huge amount of water happened while water from heavy rain due to typhoon Seniang already started to flow to the river," they said.

They also cited that, during typhoon Wilma on November 4, 2013, BOHECO 1 and Loboc officials and residents agreed that the coop "has to release water gradually from its dam at least two days before the typhoon PAG-ASA signal. It was also agreed upon that BOHECO I would notify the affected individuals about the schedule or release."

The complainants accused BOHECO 1 of "violating and dishonoring" these commitments, during the Seniang episode, which resulted in a flashflood over Loboc and Loay, "resulting to great destruction amounting to millions and brought trauma to the affected people."

They alleged BOHECO 1 "refused to release the water from Sevilla Mini-Hydro Power Plant two days before the actual downfall and failed to notify the victims about the opening of the gates, … the release of water was abruptly done."

The Freeman tried to contact PENRO Eusalem Quiwag and former PENRO Nestor Canda for comment and progress of the case but to no avail, as of this writing. (FREEMAN)