National Power Corporation

            Only a few people in San Esteban understand the purpose of its existence. Built in 1976, this facility is a vital cog, a part of the Luzon Grid that uses transmission lines to distribute electricity to the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Abra and Ilocos Norte. It is one of the region’s largest power plants, buildt in Brgy. San Pablo, in an enclosed area of 3.8 hectares with well maintained lawns. Inside the compound is a complex of power transformers, generators and circuit breakers. It is a modern plant and is ISO 9000 certified for total quality system for sub stations. There is also the main office, a control room and an employees’ quarters.

           So why did they choose sleepy San Esteban as location? Because it is within the load center of the Ilocos area, it is along the highway and it is near a port where a service barge can dock and act as a back-up generator in case of mechanical failure.

            The San Esteban sub station gets its power supply from all sources in the entire country. The hydroelectric dams like Binga, Ambuklao, Panlabangan and lately the giant San Roque Dam, geothermal plants like Macban in laguan and Tiwi in Albay and diesel or bunker-fired Bauang Power Plant are just a few of its sources. It then reduces the voltage and passes on to electric cooperatives that, in turn, further reduce the voltage to 220V for household use.

Where to stay when visiting San Esteban:

Don Cornel Beach Resort

Contact Mario Racela: 0920-411-4216

FVR Beach Resort

Contact Dr. Florence Ramirez: 0919-846-8565

Ursa Major Beach Resort

Contact Rio Balbalan: 0916-442-4280

For more information log on to

www.sanesteban.com.ph

The Official Website of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur

Or Contact

Ilocos Sur Tourism Information Center

Leona Florentino Ancestral House

#1 Calle Crisologo, Vigan City. Tel. No. (077) 722-8520

Governor’s Office

Provincial Capitol, Vigan City

Tel. No. (077) 722-2740 / 722-2746 / 722-2776

Text and photos contained in this brochure were done by Vice Mayor Norman V. Mendoza assisted by Arturo Barrey and designs created by Susan Abad Europa, Chairperson, The San Esteban Website, California, USA