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Binga dam going to the dogs — dismissed eng’rs

BAGUIO CITY (June 22) — For two consecutive days now, illegally dismissed engineers and workers of the 100-megawatt Binga Hydroelectric Power Plant (Binga) in Itogon town, Benguet have been gathering in front of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) here.

However, their demand does not call for their reinstatement, unlike other disengaged workers. Theirs is a clamor to save the Binga power facility. They call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to intercede.

Binga, which they claim as an important hydroelectric power facility, is “going down to the dogs”. The facility, the former workers said, plays a major role in the Upper Agno electric power complex giving 100-megawatt electricity to the Luzon power grid.

Cesar Magalong, the group’s spokesperson, is urging GMA to save Binga, a NAPOCOR contracted facility, because the private contractor, he said, is inept to operate the plant.

Binga was awarded via a negotiated contract five years ago to the Itogon Power Generation Corporation (IPGC) composed mainly of former NPC officials retired by the government when it implemented its privatization of the said government owned and controlled corporation.

Magalong, however, claims the private firm only “operates and maintains” the plant.

Engr. Noli Garcia, also a former employee at the plant who was likewise terminated effective June 15 said the Binga dam is already in the red because its siltation is in critical condition. “Malaki na talaga ang volume of silt sa intake ng dam” (Silt has piled up at the intake gate of the dam)

Magalong said the silt in the plant’s intake endangers the four turbines. “Limang taon na na ganito ang problema, ngunit parang bulag ang mga taga NAPOCOR sa problema,” (We have had this problem for five years already yet the NAPOCOR remains passive about it) he said.

Disaster in the making

Magalong added that when the turbines conk up because of the heavy siltation, it would endanger the technical capacity of all other hydroelectric power plants in the upper Agno area because the Binga is a starter likened to a heart that pumps power to the other plants.

He warned that Binga might be flooded any moment and power generation that will affect the Luzon grid is to suffer.

This, he continued, is tantamount to loss of government revenue and vital installation. “Thus, people in this part of Luzon will suffer from power shortages.”

Reports on the disaster fell on deaf ears (in NAPOCOR), Magalong and Garcia insisted.

Inept engineers?

What is more dangerous now, Magalong claimed, is that IPGC hired civil engineers who are not technically adept with power generation structures.

On June 15, more than 36 engineers and plant workers were reportedly dismissed by IPGC. Magalong, who along with others had filed cases against the IPGC at the labor department, said they received their termination papers on that date and they were told to leave the plant’s premises the day after.

“We were treated like unwanted dogs,” he told this reporter.

NAPOCOR’s guidelines on terminations provides for a notice of 6 months be given to the subject employee before the actual date of disengagement.

Civil Engineers, added Garcia, occupy positions in control room now. “Lalong nakakatakot dahil hindi qualified ang mga employees na ito. Civil engineers and mga naka-assign sa mga equipment at machines na may matataas na boltaheng pwedeng makapinsala kung hindi pangsiwaan ng tamang personnel,” (This is something scary because they are putting employees inadequately qualified to operate high voltaged equipment and machines. If these are not properly manned by the right personnel, these can bring damage) Garcia said.

In spite of these, NAPOCOR officials here, Magalong said, are keeping silent.

The President must intercede immediately to correct this injustice to save an important government facility, the former employees said. She should not allow this to happen because if this is happening to Binga, it might be happening to other hydroelectric facilities all over the country, they warned. # Artemio A. Dumlao for NORDIS

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