Magat Dam, Isabela Province

MAGAT DAM is a large rock-fill dam located at the boundaries of Ramon, Isabela & Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, approximately 350 kilometers north of Metro Manila. Construction of the dam started in 1975 and was completed in 1982. Magat Dam is one of the largest dams in the Philippines.

The Magat Dam is on the Magat River, which is the largest tributary of the Cagayan River on the island of Luzon. Cagayan is the longest river in the Philippines. The Magat River has an estimated yearly water discharge of 9,808 million cubic meters and has an approximate crest lenght of 4,160 meters (13,650 ft) with its headwaters in the province of Nueva Vizcaya and its confluence with the Cagayan River in the province of Isabela.

MAGAT DAM FEATURES

Height: 314 meters (1,030 ft)

Crest Lenght: 4,160 meters (13,650 ft)

Volume of Rocks & Earth Materials: 18 million cubic meters

Concrete = 1.00 million cubic meters 

It is a multi-purpose dam which is used primarily for irrigating about 85,000 hectares (210,000 acres) of agricultural lands, flood control and power generation through the Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant.

The water stored in the reservoir is enough to supply about two months of normal energy requirements. 

The dam was constructed to last for 50 years but increased siltation and sedimentation in the reservoir, slash-and-burn farming, illegal logging and fish-caging resulted in teh deterioration of the dam's watershed.

The construction and appurtenant structures was authorized by P.D. 693 signed on May 7, 1975 by the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos. The Magat Dam was constructed in 1978 and inaugurated by the late Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos on October 27, 1982 and started operations in 1983.

The Magat hydroelectric power plant is a four-unit powerhouse with an installed capacity of 360 megawatts. It is designed to accommodate two more units that will allow it to generate up to 540 megawatts. The hydroelectric plant is a peaking power plant, which means that it only operates when there is a high demand for electricity in the Luzon power grid, to which the plant is connected. It is capable of providing ancillary services for the stability of the grid.

Magat Dam aquaculture park was established thru Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 2 and it is considered as the single biggest area for aquaculture operations in the Region.

You can visit this place for free....

(note: data from wikipedia)

Burgos EDC Wind and Solar Farm

Burgos Wind Farm is a wind farm located at Burgos, Ilocos Norte. It is the second wind farm built in the province of Ilocos Norte and the largest project of its kind in the Philippines.

Known to be largest wind farm in the country and in Southeast Asia, covering 600 hectares and three barangays of Burgos namely Saoit, Poblacion and Nagsurot.

Our trip was organized by the officers/members of Cagayan-Kalinga Energy Press Corps (CKEPC) headed by prexy Ms. Vivian De Guzman & Ms. Lilibeth Gaydowen of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) thru its Facility Appreciation Tour Program.

Ilocos Norte is now dubbed as the Home of the world's First combined Solar and wind Farm after its successful installation and operation of the 4.1 MW solar farms under the wind turbines of the 150 MW wind farms of Energy Development Corporation (EDC). 

With EDC windmill Plant Manager Engr. Andy Durog - a fellow cebuano

(work-mode: interview, reporting)

(above: with my aunties - mami Digna, anti Mercy, anti Vivian ken anti Tere)

SMNI Interview with NGCP North Luzon Corporate Communication Officer Ms. Lilibeth Gaydowen.

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Sidetrip at PATAPAT VIADUCT, this bridge was constructed during Marcos era and was opened to traffic last October 1986.

The bridge is elevated 31 meters over sea level. It is a concrete coastal bridge 1.3 km long and connects the Maharlika Highway from Ilocos Region to Cagayan Valley Region. 

It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines.

Siitan Adventure (Binmapor) in Nagtipunan, Quirino Province

Fantastic!!! as I describe my adventure in the town of Nagtipuan, Quirino Province. Dubbed as "The Land of Origin". The town's name derived from the native word meaning "convergence point", in reference to several major tributaries of the Cagayan River in Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino meeting at points within in area.

Nagtipunan connotes: Converging Point which is attributed to the fact that several major tributaries of the Cagayan River found in the provinces of Quirino, Aurora and Nueva Vizcaya meet geographically located within the area. 

My tour at SIITAN River was realized with help of Quirino Province Press Corps officers and Mam Thelma Bicarme of PIA Quirino and through then Mayor Rosario Camma of Nagtipunan, Quirino Province.

  

PART 1

One of the best spots of Quirino Province... There are many things that you can do at SIITAN RIVER, Swimming on the famous Cagayan River, where the water is really clear during summer. Rock climbing, fishing, rafting, camping and many more...

Nagtipunan River or locally known as Siitan River is head water of Cagayan River. A Hall of Fame Awardee of the Cleanest inland bodies of water.

This is the jump-off for river cruise and water tubing activities. 

Ideally, great place for picnic with friends or family.

(above: Ladingan viewpoint)

Water is clear and the current is not so strong especially during summer.  

PART 2 

The town of Nagtipunan celebrates PENENKAKASISIT FESTIVAL. It is a yearly festivity in celebration of the creation of the municipality. It is the convergence of all tribes and cultures of the municipality in cooperation and celebration.

It features the indigenous tribes which is the "Ilongots" they are the original cultural communities of the area/or the first settlers in the province. Part of the celebration is the portrayal of their primitive cultural practices like Padong as the war dance and the Taguem which portrays their practice from courtship to wedding. Festivity on every 22-25th of February.