Capitol asks payment from NGCP

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Government is demanding payment from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for the use of a province-owned lot and for real property taxes.

The government is pertaining to the lot in Barangay Busay, Cebu City, within the Cebu Public School Teachers Association village, where transmission towers owned by the NGCP stand.

Provincial legal officer Marino Martinquilla said NGCP has to pay the Province a total amount of P55 million for the 18,550 square meters of land.

He said this area is no longer suitable for other uses because it is thirty meters away from the transmission towers.

“Constructions and improvements are not allowed near the transmission lines because of the harmful effects it may cause due to its radiation,” Martinquilla said.

The zonal value of the land, based on the evaluation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, is P3,000 per square meter.

Martinquilla said that he is expecting NGCP to pay up on or before May 25, 2012.

The Provincial Legal Office has yet to receive any response from the NGCP who also has to pay P192 million for their real estate tax dues to the Province.

If NGCP fails to pay, the Capitol will put their assets up for public auction.

Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre said the final deed of conveyance will be issued to the winning bidder. (FREEMAN)