Palace to address NGCP power tower bombings

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – President Aquino has ordered the creation of a task force to address concerns over the possible collapse of the Mindanao grid amid recent bombings of transmission lines.

“We have scheduled a meeting next week to address inconsistencies in valuation and other concerns of the landowners,” Aquino told a press briefing on the sidelines of the inauguration of Aboitiz Power Corp.’s coal-fired plant here. 

The President said right-of-way issues with landowners, who refuse entry to personnel of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to repair and restore the toppled lines, should be resolved.

“The transmission issue has two aspects: the bombing incidents and the right-of-way concerns. Both will be tackled during our meeting in Malacañang,” Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada said.

Monsada said these issues should be immediately resolved because the Mindanao grid is dependent on hydropower facilities, particularly the Agus hydroelectric power plants.

She said the inter-agency task force to be created is likely to be headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

Monsada said the task force would come up with reasonable land valuation and negotiation parameters in addressing right-of-way issues.

“We will… determine whether the landowners’ claims are valid and reasonable,” she said.

Public help

The NGCP appealed for the cooperation of the public in guarding transmission lines against lawless elements.

Lilibeth Gaydowen, NGCP North Luzon corporate communications and public affairs officer, urged communities near the transmission lines to report any suspicious activities.

Gaydowen said the NGCP in Northern Luzon is on heightened alert after the bombing of one of the towers of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp. in Mankayan, Benguet last month.

 She said they have coordinated with the police and military to secure the transmission lines in the Cordillera region.

Cagayan Valley projects  

Meanwhile, the NGCP expects the completion of all its major projects in Cagayan Valley next year.

Gaydowen said the 118-kilometer circuit line from Santiago City in Isabela to Tuguegarao in Cagayan is expected to be finished in April.  The project, which includes putting up 335 steel towers, is worth P946.48 million.

She said the P2.4-billion, 230-kiloVolt line from Tuguegarao to Lallo town in Cagayan is set for completion next year.

The NGCP also finished the installation of an additional 75-megavolt ampere transformer at the Bayombong sub-station last month. – With Edith Regalado, Artemio Dumlao, Victor Martin