A Department of Energy (DOE) official has admitted that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is not solely responsible for delays in various transmission projects.
Energy undersecretary Sharon Garin explained that several factors have contributed to these delays, including pending approvals of applications/requests from the Energy Regulatory Commission and issues related to rights of way involving landowners and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“There are cases that have pending ERC approval also. It’s a culmination of everything, like sa Panay, there’s an issue with the owner and the DENR,” Garin said during the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
Lawmakers welcomed Garin’s pronouncement, with Philreca Party-List Rep. Presley De Jesus emphasizing that it is unfair to place all the blame on NGCP for the project delays.
De Jesus also stressed the importance of pursuing these transmission projects in order to bring down the cost of electricity.
The NGCP, for its part, has committed to submit its explanation regarding the delayed transmission projects.
It also stressed that it is a Filipino-led company.
Clark Agustin, NGCP assistant vice president for System Operations, clarified that the corporation abides by the internal procedures outlined under the Philippine Grid Code.
“Decisions are based on established procedures. Mayroon para sa maintenance at mayroon din para sa emergency,” Agustin said in a press release Jan. 14, adding there are control centers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“If you decide to cut off power for the entire country, wala pong ganun. Wala rin pong central control point na single button,” he clarified.
Agustin also allayed worries about the China-made equipment used by the NGCP for its operation, saying that China is a technical partner allowed by the government.
“Wala pong midnight deal na nangyari. Transparent po ang NGCP sa lahat ng mga galaw at transaksiyon nito,” he pointed out.
NGCP reiterated that 60 percent of its shares are owned by Filipinos.
The consortium, comprised of the Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation, Calaca High Power Corporation, and State Grid Corporation of China, won the bidding for the operation of the country’s transmission grid for a purchase price of $3.95 billion.
Monte Oro Grid Resources and Calaca own 60 percent of the company while State Grid Corporation of China holds 40 percent, meeting the law’s requirement for foreign investors, the NGCP said. ||
