Cateel Report
Monday, 25 January 2010

 

CATEEL MICRO HYDRO PLANT

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

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The Cateel microhydro project is still operational for 8 years now, but it was not anymore managed by PARAISO.

 

Although CARECO is already providing electricity to the residents of Barangay

 

Maglahus, some CARECO subscribers use electricity from hydro at the same time to economize electric expenses. Despite of the existence of the new electric provider the project still have 70 household members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hydro consumers can also use appliances such as refrigerator, television, radios and any other electric appliance like CARECO subscribers use because the power output generated from the hydroplant is more than enough for local consumption. As such, the power generated is 15 KW and electric consumed is only 10KW. However, the project still give useful benefits  to members even if they can’t afford to subscribe in CARECO because they still have the chance to avail electricity at low cost. Meanwhile, Jorgeson Reyes the project

 

 

 

 

 

technician-operator who was our respondent during the project site visit honestly told us that the hydro project is having a project management problem.

 

The barangay council neglected the responsibilities on the maintenance of hydro. Monthly tariff collected were not spent to where it is intended. If not for the concern of the Reyes family the hydroplant would no longer be functional. During the ocular inspection, the machine still performs very well despite of the number of years it was used, yet, the powerhouse was damaged due to old age. Jorgeson just install temporary tent as its shelter to prevent the machine from possible damage. The Reyes family and the hydro members are very hopeful to create a new management personnel who will lead the project and start to establish a good management practices to resolve the issues on operation and management.