SKI , DOE to conduct coordination meeting, IEC with Irosin local officials on geothermal exploration

By  Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, NOVEMBER 4 (PIA)…..  The Summa Kumagai Industries (SKI) Construction Group, Inc. Geothermal Exploration Division will conduct a coordination meeting and Information Education Campaign (IEC)  with the members of the Sanggunian Bayan of the municipality of Irosin today, November 4 , regarding the geothermal exploration activity they are to conduct in the municipality of Irosin.

According to Irosin Mayor Eduardo E. Ong, the Department of Energy together with the SKI requested an audience with the members of the Sanggunian Bayan together with the Barangay Captains of Mapaso, San Benon,Gulang-Gulang, Cogon, Patag, Tinampo, Bagsangan, Bolos and barangay Guruyan of the municipality of Juban particularly to explain the  benefits of renewable energy through the establishment of geothermal power plant,first undergoing the exploratory phase for which their area has been identified for such activity.

Mayor Ong said that this coordination meeting was scheduled last September 20 but was deferred due to the preparations made by almost all local officials because of the town fiesta , the said event held last September.

In a letter sent by SKI president, Albert D Altura  to the local officials of Irosin, he expressed that this activity is a joint effort of the SKI and the Department of Energy (DOE) , particularly to provide the various stakeholders with the right knowledge regarding geothermal operations  and  gain first hand scientific insights regarding the project.

According to Engr. Benjamin Monzon of SKI, they hope that this meeting will open positive avenues to stakeholders to find out the importance of geothermal operation, as the cleanest source of energy.

Monzon said that they have primarily considered with utmost importance the appropriate and most  convenient time of the local officials to sit down with the proponents so that both parties will be given the chance to see how government answers to people's needs through public and private partnership.

Altura's letter explained that SKI will intend to present the activities they will undertake in the study and the areas to be covered by the scientific activities such as geological and geophysical investigations that will mainly involve site inspections and using instrumentations to measure the earth’s natural current without surface damage to property nor vegetation.

Expected to attend also are representatives from the office of the provincial government,  Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office -Local Government Unit, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, Phillipine National Police, Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management System, Philippine Information Agency, Phillipine Army and PhilVocs. (PIA-SORSOGON)