Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant

TONGONAN GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT

For years, I’d only hear talks on how beautiful it is in Tongonan, Leyte – how cool the place is, elevated thousands of feet above sea level, with lots of virginal forests and wildlife – but never getting the chance to actually go and see the place. I’ve spotted that directional sign saying, “To Tongonan” hundreds of times when driving from Tacloban City to Ormoc City. Never been there… until last September. Some friends, Danny Fuentebella and Butch Celestial, asked me: would I be interested in joining their group and “camp out” in Tongonan? Gee, how could I resist such an opportunity?!

Nestled high up in the mountains in Tongonan between the municipality of Kananga and Ormoc City is the PNOC-Energy Development Corporation’s Leyte Geothermal Production Field (LGPF).

PNOC-EDC remains to be the country’s largest producer of geothermal energy. The 107,625-hectare Leyte Geothermal Production Field (LGPF) alone produces 708 MW. Here in this geothermal energy area, considered the largest wet steam producing field in the world, are the 112.5 MW Tongonan Production Field, the 132 MW Upper Mahiao Power Plant, the 232.5 MW Malitbog Power Plant, the 180 MW Mahanagdong A and B Plants, and the 51 MW Optimization Plants.

The Leyte geothermal plants currently supply power not only to the Eastern Visayas region, but also to Central and Western Visayas and on to Luzon via submarine cables. It is expected to serve as the linchpin of the national electric highway upon installation of another submarine cable from Leyte to Mindanao.

Due to bad weather, it was unfortunate that I couldn’t get closer photos of the plants (besides, in most areas near the power plants, taking photos is strictly prohibited for security reasons.) So what I have here are mostly panoramic shots, taken before a heavy downpour and thunderstorm suddenly set in.

Read More

WWII Veterans and Centennial Park

VETERANS CENTENNIAL PARK

The Veteran’s Park was constructed in early 1990s in honor of the Filipino soldiers who fought for the liberation of Leyte and the Philippines. The Centennial Marker was erected in 1998 to commemorate the 100th year of Philippine independence. One gets a good view of the bay, the port and the plaza from this point. It is a favorite rendezvous for the young and old alike for picnics and leisurely strolls on its verdant lawn. And from here, one can experience the refreshing breeze from the sea and witness the magnificent beauty of the sunset.

Read More

Lake Danao

LAKE DANAO

It was originally named "Lake Imelda" and was declared a national park on June 2, 1972 by virtue of presidential memorandum issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos. Later it was renamed and declared as Lake Danao National Park on February 3, 1998 through Proclamation No. 1155 and is now protected by Republic Act No. 7586 otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992. The lake supplies potable water to at least seven towns in Eastern Leyte including Tacloban City as well as the source of irrigation for ricelands in some municipalities like Dagami, Burauen, Pastrana and Tabon-tabon.

The trip up the mountain is interesting, special and very memorable. Different people in the mountains who really love nature, and flowers. Plantations of sugar cane, and pineapples along the way. Once the you have several options with wooden rafts to rent, and view up on the other side of the lake.

Scenic and serene. You can just stay here and watch the beauty of nature. You can also rent a boat or kayak to really enjoy its beauty. I would recommend anyone to visit the place when you're in Ormoc. To access Lake Danao via public Transport, there is a terminal near Ormoc Port (just beside it across the road). The fee is PHP30.

Very beautiful place. Even if when I was there it was jut after the typhoon and there where a lot of damage. I guess until now they are back to normal. They do have pick-nick places and even toilets ( but don't expect western standard high-tech toilets) Don't forget to have a pullover or vest with you. It's up in the mountains and like all mountains weather can change fast and it gets quite cold. BBQ places to rent, boats also, you can walk hours in a almost totally virgin nature. Have to visit there its a must. They ask a very little fee when entering.

Read More