ILOILO City – It is high time to review the laws that regulate power transmission, and which would also drive the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to perform better.
This was the reaction of Department of Energy (DOE) undersecretary Sharon Garin, a native of Guimbal, Iloilo. She cited that despite the economic challenges and loss the three-day long power outages caused, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) could only impose a maximum penalty of P5 million to NGCP once proven that the errors were made on their part.
“Kinahanglan na siguro tan-awon kay ang Department of Energy (DOE) indi puede makatandog sa ila, ang Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) lang ang maka-impose sanction. It’s time siguro to check kon ano bala ang puede ma-improve para mag-perform better ang NGCP,” Garin during an interview with Aksyon Radyo Iloilo on Friday morning.
Garin explained that the P5 million is not much of a loss and “pressure” for the NGCP, particularly in fast-tracking the third stage completion of the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project (CNP3).
CNP3 is seen to better the transmission of power to Panay Island as it involves linking Negros and Cebu by laying an overhead line from Bacolod City to San Carlos City then to San Carlos City to Toledo City, Cebu through a submarine cable.
The whole CNP project involves the construction of a 238-kilometer long circuit, 230kV capacity transmission line linking the three islands of Cebu, Negros and Panay, which includes the expansion of the Barotac Viejo substation, the E.B Magalona cable terminal station and the Bacolod substation.
Garin added that the project has long been delayed.
“May ara Cebu-Negros project, amo na ang ma-connect didto kag kung magkulang ang Iloilo puede makakuha all the way from Cebu or even Mindanao para ma-stabilize naton. Year 2024 na ta, wala man gihapon natapos,” she added.
The Energy undersecretary revealed that the DOE even created a transmission committee with all concerned government agencies as members to assist NGCP to expedite the completion of CNP3 and other projects all over the country.
“We are going out our way to help NGCP do their works,” Garin said.
NGCP is a privately-owned corporation that the national government tasked to operate, maintain and develop the country’s state-owned power grid, an interconnected system that transmits gigawatts of power at thousands of volts from where it is made to where it is needed.
Under the law, NGCP is regulated by the ERC. The Congress, however, could intervene as it is the one reviewing the franchise of NGCP.
Garin was present during an emergency meeting called by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on Thursday, Jan. 4, to address the power crisis in Panay Island.
Other attendees included DOE secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, Bacolod City’s Mayor Albee Benitez, Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, and Aklan’s Gov. Joen Miraflores, among others.
Garin, during the meeting, belied claims that the prolonged power blackouts were due to the tripping of power plants.
“Kung isa lang ka generation ang nag-tripping, then I would say nga generation na sia pero kon walo ka planta, halos dungan-dungan pa, indi na ina guro generations lang nga tanan sila nagka-problema sang dulongan and its not just Iloilo City but entire region of Western Visayas,” she said.
DOE Eyes P2-M Fine, Review of Tax Perks of NGCP
The DOE yesterday said it will support plans for a legislative probe of NGCP including the imposition of hefty fines and a review of its tax perks.
Energy secretary Lotilla blamed the NGCP for the massive power outage that affected Panay Island and other parts of Western Visayas this week.
He said the DOE will support a legislative investigation into the incident and a review of the franchise of NGCP, including a possible fine of P2 million per day for violations or non-compliance with regulations.
The DOE will also call for a review of “the special tax privilege of NGCP to pay only a 3 percent franchise tax in lieu of all other national and local taxes.”
Lotilla earlier said the NGCP shouldered the “main accountability” over the power fiasco. (With a report from ABS-CBN News)/PN
