Tabuk City, Kalinga – A proposed 52-megawatt run-of-river hydropower project in Barangay Lucog, Tabuk City, is expected to bring a major renewable energy investment to Kalinga, along with about ₱15 million in annual CSR worth of benefits for its host communities.
Governor James S. Edduba announced the development during the Provincial Government of Kalinga's flag-raising ceremony on Monday, July 13, where he shared that the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) was set to award the project's Certification Precondition—a key requirement before it can proceed to the next stages of development.
Edduba described the project as another milestone for the province, saying it is expected to generate long-term economic opportunities while providing direct benefits to communities hosting the facility.
"...diay awarding of the 52-megawatt mini-hydro project in Upper Tabuk. Dakkel manen nga pagsayaatan daytoy ditoy Kalinga. Kalpasan ti pannakaited ti proyekto babaen ti National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), mai-award nu bigat (July 14) idiay Lucog," Edduba announced.
The project, to be developed as a Chico Run-of-River Hydropower Project, will generate up to 52 megawatts of electricity by harnessing the natural flow of the Chico River.
Unlike conventional hydropower plants that require large dams and reservoirs, a run-of-river system diverts flowing water through turbines to generate electricity before returning it to the river. Because it does not rely on large water impoundments, the technology is generally considered to have a smaller environmental footprint while producing clean and renewable energy.
NCIP clearance paves the way
The Certification Precondition issued by the NCIP is a mandatory requirement under the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) for projects located within ancestral domains.
The certification was granted after the project completed the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process, confirming that affected indigenous communities had been properly informed of the project's potential impacts and benefits before giving their consent.
With the certification in place, the project may proceed with securing the remaining government permits and clearances needed before construction begins.
₱15M yearly CSR for host communities
According to Edduba, discussions with project proponents showed that the development would bring significant benefits to residents of Barangays Lucog, Balawag, Suyang, Magnao, Naneng, and Bagumbayan, which are expected to be the project's immediate host communities.
Among the major commitments is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program worth approximately ₱15 million annually, which the governor said could fund scholarship programs and other community development initiatives.
"Ket haan ko lang malipatan during the discussions nga inattendaran mi, di indeffend da dayta (project), ket nakitak nga dakkel manen ngay kasi nakitak diay scholarship, dayta nangabak ket ₱15 million a year. Ket agasan ngay ti mabenepisyaran na dayta diay Barangay Lucog, Balawag, Suyang, Barangay Magnao, Naneng, and Bagumbayan. Dagita ti immediate agbenepisyar ditoy nga project," Edduba said.
For Edduba, the project demonstrates how renewable energy investments can drive Kalinga's development while ensuring that indigenous communities directly benefit from projects established within their ancestral domains.
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