Over delayed projects in Visayas: President Ferdinand calls out NGCP

CEBU, Philippines — To ensure a stable power supply particularly in Visayas, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. has assured in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) that a performance review will be made to its private concessionaire, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), to complete its deliverables in the Cebu-Negros-Panay connection as a priority.

“We finally have a unified national grid. With the interconnection of the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids,” Marcos said.

The “one grid, one market,” according to PBMM, will “enable more efficient transfers and more competitive pricing of electricity throughout the country.”

The president, however, disclosed that 68 grid connections are still much delayed, quoting the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

“A performance review of our private concessionaire, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, is now ongoing. We look to NGCP to complete all of its deliverables…starting with the vital Mindanao-Visayas and Cebu-Negros-Panay inter-connections,” said Marcos.

Earlier this month, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has already required the NGCP to explain why it should not face administrative penalties for the delays, non-completion, and failure to commence ERC-approved transmission projects.

A show cause order has already been sent out to NGCP to explain.

As the concessionaire contracted to operate the transmission assets owned by the National Transmission Company (TransCo), the NGCP bears the responsibility of improving, expanding, and maintaining the national grid, the ERC emphasized.

Close to 10 NGCP projects involving Cebu had been delayed based on the show cause order last June 14, 2023.

This includes the stage 1 and stage 2 of Cebu-Negros-Panay 230kB backbone project which are already delayed for more than six years, while the stage 3 is 230 days delayed.

The Cebu-Lapu-Lapu transmission and the Mindanao-Visayas inter-connection’s completion is also delayed by 894 days, the Naga, Cebu Upgrading project at 659 days, the Visayas Voltage Improvement project at 628 days and the Cebu-Bohol interconnection project with at least 21 days delay as of the time of the show cause order was released.

Connectivity Highlighted

Meanwhile, in a move to foster economic growth and development, the president unveiled the government’s plans to enhance the nation's infrastructure and connectivity during his national address.

The “Luzon Spine Expressway Networks Program” was one of the major highlights of the address, covering a distance of 1,200 kilometers, that will not only connect the three main islands but also link potential sites of economic importance.

The program also aims to reduce travel time from Ilocos to Bicol significantly, cutting it down from 20 hours to just nine hours.

The government also laid out its vision for the "Mega Bridge Program," which will see the construction of 12 bridges totaling 90 kilometers. Through the “Mega Bridge Master Plan Project,” bridges will connect islands separated by water bodies.

“The project includes the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, each spanning 32 kilometers, and also the Samal Island- Davao City connector bridge,” Marcos said.

In terms of road development, as of June this year, the government showcased its commitment to progress.

“We have constructed, maintained, and upgraded more than 4,000 kilometers of roads and around 500 bridges across the country,” the President said.

Furthermore, crucial airport and port development projects have reached completion, propelling the nation's connectivity to new heights. Some noteworthy achievements include the passenger terminal buildings of Clark Airport and the Port of Calapan.

Railway projects also took center stage in the SONA, with the announcement of several initiatives totaling over 1,000 kilometers in length.

“Notably, the southern leg of the North-South Commuter Railway System is now in full swing. In a few years, travel from Pampanga to Laguna will be reduced from four hours to just two,” Marcos added.

According to the president, inter-modal connectivity between roads, bridges and mass transportation will also be a consideration to connect vital economic markets such as agriculture hubs, tourism sites, and key business districts. —  Philstar.com (FREEMAN)