NAIA expressway project: Meralco seeks to recover P112M from dislocation of facilities

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s biggest power distributor, is seeking the nod of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the relocation of electrical facilities near the airport affected by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway project.

Meralco wants the ERC ‘s permission to recover the value of any facility that may be retired as a result of the NAIA Expressway project.

The value would be equivalent to their respective remaining economic life through accelerate depreciation or any other mechanism that can account for the remaining value of the facilities that may be retired in the next regulatory reset of Meralco, the power distributor said.

The NAIA Expressway project is a four lane elevated expressway with a total length of 7.15 kilometers including entry and exit ramps. It will be implemented into two major phases, Phase 2 A and 2B, according to the application filed by Meralco.

Phase 2A of the project will run through the NAIA Road with ramps to Roxas Boulevard, Macapagal Boulevard and to the Entertainment City of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), it said.

On the other hand, Phase 2B of the NAIA Expressway project will start from the existing Skyway in the South Luzon Expressway and then through Sales Avenue.

In its application, Meralco said that several of its facilities in the areas would need to be relocated.

“The contingency phase 2A NAIA Project will affect nine distribution circuits and four sub-transmission circuits with a total length of 10,730 m and 450 m, respectively. The project will also involve approximately 185 poles based on the preliminary design. The total number of applicant’s facilities that will be affected by the implementation of the phase 2A of the NAIA Expressway Project could still vary pending completion of the Expressway’s final alignment,” Meralco said.

The project would involve the relocation of 115 kilovolt transmission facilities along Roxas Boulevard and relocation of distribution facilities along NAIA Road from Tambo River to Domestic Road for a total cost of P112 million.