NEWSFLASH

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CANADIANS BUILDING $135-MILLION DAMS IN BENGUET

Benguet Province, Oct. 16, 1997 - A Canadian firm has budgeted $135 million for the construction of six mini-hydroelectric plants along the Upper Agno River in the northern towns of Buguis and Kabayan.

Pierre Yves Cote, representative of AXOR International, met with members of the town councils who submitted to the provincial council separate resolutions supporting the proposed projects.

Cote said water rights applications have been approved by the National Water Regulatory Board.

The projects are expected to contribute additional power to the Luzon grid of the National Power Corporation. it will also provide employment to residents of the barangays where the plants will be built. Cote said 10% of the entire budget will go into salaries and wages of local residents who will be absorbed into the AXOR workforce.

Residents of the beneficiary towns are optimistic that the provincial boards will approve the projects in time for the president to announce it when president Ramos visits Canada next month.

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