Thank you, Secretary Anton Lagdameo for your introduction. [Please take your seats.]

Agusan del Norte Governor Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante; Municipality of Jabonga Mayor Napoleon Montero; the Agusan Power Company President Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.; TSP Group of Companies President Dexter Teng; the J-Power Executive Managing Officer Takashi Jahana; my fellow workers in government; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

I am delighted to join you today for the inauguration of this 24.9-Megawatt Lake Mainit Hydro Power Plant here in the Municipality of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

As our power demand continues to increase, initiatives and projects, such as this, are most welcome as they help the country increase the energy supply [and] improve our energy mix by prioritizing the use of renewables.

The development of this hydropower site is a defining step towards our goal of securing much-needed power for the people of Agusan del Norte and its neighboring areas by taking advantage of its water resources.

The Lake Mainit hydroelectric run-of-river power project offers several benefits and is expected to sustainably serve around 45,000 households.

Aside from producing power, it is also expected to generate socioeconomic opportunities for the people of Agusan del Norte and for the rest of Mindanao.

Moreover, the project is expected to help reduce carbon footprint and improve air quality as hydroelectric power produces very low or zero carbon emissions during electricity generation.

This project was made possible because of the shared commitment we have with our reliable partners in the private sector both from the Philippines and from Japan.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Markham Resources Corporation and the J-POWER Group.

This partnership that you have forged for the development and operation of this hydroelectric power project in Agusan del Norte is a clear manifestation of the trust and support that our two nations hold for each other.

I look forward certainly to greater cooperation [and] stronger bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan, especially in the field of renewable energy.

I continue to be hopeful that we will come up with more projects that will make use of renewable resources and contribute to our ongoing efforts in solving our energy problems.

I urge the local government of Agusan del Norte to provide all the necessary assistance to ensure the efficiency, safety, and productivity of this very important hydropower plant.

Let this inauguration that we are commemorating today serve as an encouragement to potential investors to invest in the country, especially in the power generation and the renewable energy sector.

I call once again on our private sector partners to join us as we realize our goal of advancing affordable, reliable, and clean energy for the benefit of our people. We assure you that this government will continue to improve bureaucratic processes in the energy sector to make it easier for investors to come in.

This lies at the very core of the Eight-point socioeconomic agenda as well as our commitment to mitigate the impact of climate change and to combat other environmental threats.

As perfectly captured by where the name Agusan is derived from — the word “agos” or water flow — may the Lake Mainit Hydro Power Plant flow with bountiful blessings, stream good tidings, and bring positivity to the people of Agusan del Norte and to everyone who will gain from the services it provides.

Once again, my heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in the completion of this project.

With partners like you, I am confident that we will achieve an energy-secure future and build a more prosperous Philippines for the present and for coming generations.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Mabuhay ang Agusan del Norte! Mabuhay ang ating inauguration ng hydropower plant at maraming salamat po. Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. [applause]

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SOURCE: PCO-PND (Presidential News Desk)