NGCP turns over Valenzuela housing project

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has turned over five buildings of a housing project for informal settler families previously living within the transmission right-of-way corridor in Valenzuela City.

NCGP said it formally turned over the first batch of low-rise dwellings in Disiplina Village, Lingunan, Valenzuela City to the city government of Valenzuela on Oct. 15, together with Gawad Kalinga.

“As the power grid operator, NGCP worked with the City of Valenzuela to relocate residents previously living within the transmission right-of-way corridor to prevent any accidents from happening due to their proximity to the high voltage power lines,” NGCP said.

NGCP added that the project is also in line with the enactment of Republic Act 11361 or the Anti Obstruction of Power Lines Act, which aims to ensure the uninterrupted flow of power by prohibiting construction of structures and conducting any activity within or along the power line corridor.

In February last year, NGCP, the Valenzuela City LGU, and Gawad Kalinga broke ground on the 2.5-hectare property of the city government for the establishment of the in-city relocation site.

The entire housing project comprises 22 three-story low-rise buildings with 792 units.

The P282 million project is scheduled for completion by 2021.

NGCP said the five buildings were completed in October and formally turned over in a simple ceremony at the Disiplina Village attended by representatives from NGCP led by vice president and head of Central Projects Office Mark Joseph Andeo, Gawad Kalinga led by executive director Daniel Bercasio, and LGU officials headed by Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian.

Rep. Wes Gatchalian, and Sec. Eduardo del Rosario of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development were also present.

“NGCP and the City of Valenzuela, together with Gawad Kalinga, worked hand in hand to give residents of the city a safer living environment, away from the dangers posed by living near or under high voltage transmission lines,” NGCP said.

“Disiplina Village is the product of collaborative efforts to serve the community in order to protect them and give them a safer place to live in,” NGCP said.

Under prevailing laws, the abatement of nuisances, such as buildings and structures underneath transmission lines, is primarily the obligation of the local government.

“NGCP extended its help and its resources to Valenzuela City to expedite the relocation. We felt that if our help was needed to make things happen and ensure the safety of the residents, we had to find a way to get this done,” the company said.

The five newly constructed buildings, with a total of 180 units, will be given to residents of Barangay Mapulang Lupa and Ugong previously residing along the transmission line corridor of NGCP’s San Jose-Quezon 230kV Line.

NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid.