City Officials to Pursue Titling Asin Hydro Plant Properties in the Name of Baguio City

It was revealed by the Public Information Office of the City of Baguio on Monday, November 2, 2020 that the city officials want the General Services Office (GSO) to pursue the titling of the lots occupied by plants 1 and 3 of the Asin hydroelectric power plant facilities in the name of the City of Baguio.

Plant 2 of the Asin hydroelectric power plant is already titled in the name of the City of Baguio. On the other hand, plants 1 and 3 are still on the process for the transfer of the title in favor to the city.

“Baguio City is the only local government in the country that owns and operates renewable energy power plant because of the existence of the Asin hydroelectric power plants situated within the jurisdiction of Tuba town.”

– Public Information Office – City of Baguio, November 2, 2020

Situated within the territorial jurisdiction of Tuba, Benguet, the Asin hydroelectric power plants 1, 2 and 3 were built, operated and administered in the 1920s. The Philippines was then under the administration of the United States government.

And in 2006, the local government took over the operation of the plants. However, a cease and desist order has been issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission in October 2012 since the city was not able to secure a certificate of compliance from the regulatory agency.

The GSO was required by the council to submit a report on the following:

• The progress of the titling of the lots at plants 1 and 3
• The details of the title of plant 2 site at the Asin hydroelectric power plant

Furthermore, Municipal Assessor of Tuba, Benguet has also informed the council that the lots where the three city-owned hydro power plants are located are still not tax declared as properties of the city. And despite the finality of a court decision, the titles of the properties have not yet been transferred in favor of the city.

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Source: Public Information Office – City of Baguio