Hedcor Inc., the hydro subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp., paid a fine of P200,000 for alleged dumping of soil in the Chico river in violation of the Clean Water Act.
Aboitiz Power said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it was informed by Hedcor of the fine paid to the Pollution Adjudication Board in connection with the DENR-PAB Case No. CAR-00874-16.
The case involved the alleged illegal dumping of soil in the Chico River during the construction of the Hedcor Sabangan hydro-electric power plant, supposedly in violation of Republic Act No. 9275.
Aboitiz Power said the respondents in the case were directed to pay the fine, and the payment was made for and on behalf of all the respondents by Sta. Clara International, the contractor for the Hedcor Sabangan hydro-electric power plant, in compliance with its contractual obligation and liability for the “care of water” during the construction of the plant.
“During the development of our Sabangan Hydro from 2013 to 2015, as in the construction of all hydropower facilities, it was necessary to build a temporary cofferdam to be able to construct the weir,” Aboitiz Power said.