Antique’s provincial government is eyeing reviving and upgrading the mini-hydropower in the municipality of San Remigio, a premier tourism destination in the province.

Bienvinido Nallos, Jr., provincial planning and development coordinator, said in an interview Tuesday that they would seek the recommendation of the Provincial Development Council for the revival and upgrade of a mini-hydropower in the upland barangay of Panpanan in San Remigio.

The project aligns with the priority program of Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao to provide clean and renewable energy in San Remigio and the neighboring municipality of Sibalom.

“There used to be a mini hydropower in San Remigio, but it stopped operation because of some problems that had transpired,” Nallos said.

He added that the project, eyed to be implemented by the end of the year, would be funded using the national wealth share of the provincial government from the Semirara Mine and Power Corp. in Barangay Semirara, Caluya.

“The hydropower will provide sufficient power supply and clean drinking water for tourists and residents who visit San Remigio,” he said.

Nallos noted that hydropower is also necessary for the provincial government-operated greenhouse intended to produce high-value crops and as a training field for learners of the nearby Aningalan Integrated Farm School. It is also useful for the proposal of the University of Antique to reopen agriculture courses on its campus there.

The greenhouse is not fully functional due to the lack of power and water supply.

“There is also a plan to ink a partnership with the Antique Electric Cooperative (Anteco) for hydropower to supply power in off-grid areas in San Remigio and Sibalom,” Nallos said.

Resorts in Barangay Aningalan and other off-grid areas in San Remigio and Sibalom use power generators because Anteco, the lone power distributor in the province, could not serve their power requirement. (PNA)