Leyte power coop welcomes power plant construction

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Oct. 23  -- The Leyte V Electric Cooperative (Leyeco V) has welcomed plans to develop a power plant in an economic zone within its franchise area that is seen to further attract investments that will generate more jobs.

The 70-megawatt diesel power plant being constructed will provide energy directly to locators of Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in Isabel town, 47 kilometers west from here.

Leyeco V general manager Juanito Jorda Jr. said on Tuesday that as a policy, the electric cooperative encourages economic activities to promote progress in its franchise area.

He believes that the power plant developed by Japanese company Marubeni Corp. will stir economic movement in Isabel. The plant will be operational within the year.

Jorda’s stance is opposite to that of his predecessors who discouraged competition in Leyeco V’s franchise area in northwest Leyte. More than 10 years ago, the electric cooperative complained about LIDE’s direct connection to the geothermal plants in Tongonan, this city operated then by National Power Corp.

Jorda said providing preferential rates would entice new locators to LIDE and generate more jobs. This will allow people to buy homes and appliances that will push the demand for electricity to the benefit of Leyeco V.

The electric cooperative serves 83,490 member-consumers with 88,805 households and establishments connections in 414 villages in the western of Leyte Island.

“We’re focusing more on medium load customers than the large ones that may cause conflicts and headaches for us,” he quipped.

LIDE is a 425-hectare special economic zone, which was established in 1978 through Letter of Instruction 962, is located in Isabel, Leyte. It is home to two major industries: the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp. and the Philppine Phosphate Fertilizer Corp. (FNC/PNA)