(Gov. Albert Garcia witnessing exchange of documents after MOU signing for thermal power plant. Photo by Ernie Esconde)
BALANGA CITY — A Korean firm on Thursday entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the provincial government of Bataan for the construction of a 600-megawatt thermal power plant in the province.
Gov. Albert Garcia said the project will be under the Public, Private Partnership with Hanjo Group Manufacturing, Inc. of Seoul, Korea.
“Aside from job creation and development it will give Bataan, the thermal power plant is a clean source of energy. As demand for energy increases, it is good to know that our partners think clean and green,” the governor said.
The project reportedly has an investment of about $1 billion and to employ 10,000 workers during the construction phase.
Kibum Kim, one of the investors, when asked if they will bring in Korean workers said “No, no, I don’t think so. We will get workers here. Filipino workers are very good in technical side.”
Garcia thanked the Koreans and Japanese partner Chris Takayama, Hanjo chief finance officer, for the choice of Bataan.
“Hope this will be the start of something big for Bataan,” the governor said.
Hak Joo Choi, Hanjo chief operating officer, was all praise for the province. “Ang Bataan ay tunay na ginto sa Gitnang Luzon,” he said through an interpreter.
He spelled the importance of the project. “Ito’y bilang tugon sa tumataas na pangangailangan ng kuryente sa susunod pang limang taon at upang palawakin ang kapasidad ng Philippine Energy.”
Mar Supnad of Manila Bulletin helped convince the investors to do business in Bataan.
The planned thermal power plant will be in addition to coal power plants already operational and some under construction in Limay and Mariveles towns.
