NGCP warns of ROW scam in Zamboanga

MANILA, Philippines - The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the operator of the country’s power transmission highway, has warned the public of a right-of-way (ROW) scam proliferating in Zamboanga.

In an advisory, NGCP warned of a systemized scam in the Zamboanga area concerning ROW claims wherein an organized group gets in touch with landowners who have properties under NGCP’s company lines and facilities.

The group is allegedly offering landowners payment ranging from P50,000 to P300,000 for every tower constructed within their properties.

The group then requires landowners to provide a copy of their certificate of land title or tax declaration to support their supposed claims from NGCP.

In return, the owners are asked to pledge 40 percent of their claims as the organization’s commission rate.

But the NGCP clarified yesterday that the groups do not represent the transmission company.

“These fraudulent acts are not sanctioned by NGCP and this organization does not have the legal personality to represent NGCP. We would like to warn the public to refrain from transacting with these individuals as they are not connected with NGCP and will only take advantage of your properties,” said NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said.

NGCP clarified that it directly conducts ROW negotiations with landowners for affected properties and do not hire third-party groups.

Such negotiations are done professionally and no fees or documents will be required from landowners. NGCP directly deals with the landowners and has not authorized any third-party representatives to conduct the negotiations, Alabanza said.