Geothermal energy drives growth in Manito town

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

MANITO, a fourth-class town in Albay located in the Pocdol mountains volcanic range and home of the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Field, is a cradle of limitless geothermal energy, said Ma. Antonia V. Bornas, chief of the Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD).

The Bacon-Manito (BacMan) Geothermal Plant, situated between Manito, Albay and the Bacon District of Sorsogon City, provides clean electricity to the Luzon Grid. Bornas noted that the plant taps into the volcanic mountain’s geothermal energy, which can be a limitless source in terms of human existence.

Manito, a fourth-class town in Albay with 15 barangays and a population of 26,162 as of the 2020 census, lies in the Pocdol complex, an inactive volcanic area that is a significant source of clean and renewable geothermal energy.

“Based on Phivolcs’ catalogue, the Pocdol complex where Manito is situated is largely inactive. However, I personally think that at least one cone in this complex, Mt. Pulog, may be potentially active,” Bornas told Bicol Mail.

“The Pocdol Complex is huge, so the geothermal source could be likely limitless in terms of human existence,” she added.

The Pocdol Mountains, also known as Mount Pocdol, the Pocdol Hills, or the Bacon-Manito Volcanic Group, encompass a 25,000-hectare geothermal reservation in Southern Luzon.

Here, the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) operates the 150-MW Bacon-Manito Geothermal Production Field (BGPF), which hosts natural geological wonders such as the Inang Maharang Mud Pool, Nag-aso Boiling Lake, Parong Hot Springs, and Botong Twin Falls.

Three famous hydrothermal springs, including the Inang Maharang Mud Pool located near Barangay Nagotgot, are part of this geothermal area. This volcanic mud pool, which can reach temperatures of 140°C, is used by residents and farmers for domestic chores and is also known for its therapeutic mudpacks. Nearby is the Nag-aso Boiling Lake, another geologic feature located in the hidden forest of Barangay Hulugan.

These geological wonders continuously provide clean and renewable energy to the country through the Luzon Grid.

On July 5, the Energy Development Corporation, under Lopez-led First Gen Corporation, inaugurated the P7 billion 28.9 MW Palayan Binary Geothermal Power Plant (PBGPP) as part of its expansion of the existing 140 MW Bacon-Manito (BacMan) facility.

This binary plant, located in the 25,000-hectare Bacon-Manito Geothermal Production Field, can produce 219,800 MWh of power annually. It employs a zero-discharge system that ensures brine and other fluids are efficiently re-injected into the reservoir. This renewable power plant is expected to reduce the country’s carbon footprint by an estimated 72,200 tonnes annually.

Francis Giles B. Puno, EDC vice chairman and chief executive officer, told Bicol Mail that the binary plant reuses waste heat from BacMan 1.

He highlighted the importance of developing indigenous renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on imported coal and combat climate change. The binary plant’s production life is expected to span 30 years, providing continuous electricity unlike solar power.

Aside from the 28.9 MW Palayan Binary Geothermal Power Plant, EDC is targeting the completion of another 20 MW power plant in Manito by the end of 2024. This 20MW Tamawon facility will further boost the town’s renewable energy capacity.

“The uniqueness of this binary plant lies in its use of waste heat from BacMan 1,” Puno said. “In the next few months, another facility will be inaugurated, delivering an additional 20MW. By 2027, we expect to produce 210MW, nearly equal to Tiwi’s capacity.”

Tiwi, also in Albay, hosts Asia’s first geothermal energy facility.

Manito Mayor Rebecca Cheng told Bicol Mail that the operation of EDC and Lopez-owned Bac-Man Geothermal Inc. has fueled the town’s economy, with the local government receiving P2.5 million shares quarterly, depending on the power generation.

The presence of the power firm also helps preserve the town’s forest cover, contributing to climate change mitigation.

The geothermal forest reserve is also a sanctuary for the world’s largest remaining fruit bats, the Acerodon jubatus, found only in the Philippines.