November 24, 2003
Ambassador visits Tiwi, Albay
Mayor Patricia Gutierrez (left), Energy Secretary Vince
Perez (center, partly hidden), and Ambassador Francis Ricciardone view
photos of Albay’s geothermal grounds in the museum of the Science
and Information Center in the newly restored Naglagbong Geothermal People’s
Park following the turnover of the park to the local government on November
13. Aside from a museum, the Science and Information Center, built at
the heart of the Park, includes facilities for exhibits, presentations,
lectures and discussion on geothermal energy. The restoration of the
Park as a tourist attraction was a joint project of the local governments
of Tiwi and Albay, the National Power Corporation, and the Philippine
Geothermal, Inc.(PGI), a subsidiary of the U.S. company Unocal. PGI,
in cooperation with the Parish Social Action Commission, Ayala Foundation,
USA, the Tiwi local government and the Department of Health, also initiated
the physical rehabilitation of the Tiwi Rural Health Center, which was
also inaugurated on November 13.
In the control room of the geothermal plant, National
Power Corporation President Rogelio Murga (left) briefs Ambassador Ricciardone
(right) and Energy Secretary Perez on the rehabilitation of the Tiwi
plant. The rehabilitation, slated for completion next year, will ensure
a more efficient power supply.
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