Barangay Buenavista, Bato, Catanduanes
2 May 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inauguration and unveiling of market of the newly constructed PAGASA weather radar station in Barangay Buenavista, Municipality of Bato, Catanduanes and the ceremonial switch-on of Solong and Hitoma 1 Mini-Hydropwer plants owned and operate by Sunwest Water and Electric Co. Inc. (SUWECO)

The President was accompanied by Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and DOST Secretary Mario Montejo. The state-of-the-art Doppler radar was granted through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for the improvement of Meteorological Radar Systems in the country. The completion of the project will result in the improved accuracy of forecast and the timeliness of warnings in order to minimize human casualties and damages to properties due to the occurrences of weather disturbances and the associated floods and landslides.

While the ceremonial switch-on of the Solong and Hitoma 1 mini-hydropower plants will produce 2.1 megawatts and 1.5 megawatts using different turbine power. The project overview was led by Mr. Elizaldy Co, Chairman of the board SUWECO. The company was primarily engage in the development of clean energy resources such as hydropower and solar and the provision of bulk water facilities to rural communities.

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