Geothermal Project around Bulusan Volcano will push through..

             

Pinoy Mountaineer photo

Had a long conversation with people from SKI Geothermal, Inc. Seemingly, Geothermal exploration in Bulusan Volcano continues. The project is more or less two (2) years delayed as schedule, but they have up to five years to complete the study.

The proponent is no less than the Government thru the Department of Energy, where SKI contracted the project. They are very positive to push through the project; and also hopeful they could finally come to terms with the community around especially those opposing it. As usual, they came up with a lengthy explanation that the project poses no harm in the environment.

They mentioned about a new technology wherein surface or ground water will no longer be re-injected. Geothermal does not affect water supply or spring sources of water after all they said. Neither will it trigger volcanic nor seismic activities on an active Volcano. They said having been considered as renewable energy, it would be a waste if Geothermal source in Bulusan would be left untapped.

As the country experienced power shortage nowadays, the Government is bent on tapping every available source of energy especially those considered renewable. As to the series of protest staged by some sector, they said they won't go anywhere confrontational. Instead they plan to embark on massive information drive to educate the people about Geothermal project, its impact to the environment and communities.

They said, they will always seek the support of all the people with proper representation from LGUs, or even Barangays. SKI also dismissed reports that they allegedly started drilling already sometime last year. The PHIVOLCs though clarifies that its them that were seen months ago along the vicinity of Barangay Salvacion, Irosin, Sorsogon. Ed Laguerta of PHIVOLCS said they have conducted study on Irosin calderra together with some Japanese experts. They drilled in some specific area as part of a thorough study involving, carbon-dating, geochemistry and geophysics.

Mr Benjamin Monzon, project director of Geothermal Division of SKI clarifies also that they are bound to inform the people through LGUs before drilling.

At present, they are far from the drilling phase as the study/exploration is not yet done. So far, four (4) specific areas have yield positive result, having potential geothermal source, and is now undergoing process of validation. They assured that the project will not encroached on the declared Protected Area within Mount Bulusan or the so-called Bulusan Volcano Natural Park.#