Senators Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros, Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos, and Francis Tolentino have recently filed separate resolutions seeking an investigation into the power outage that occurred on the Panay and Guimaras islands. The senators have expressed concerns regarding the alleged inaction of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and have called for a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
Senator Hontiveros emphasized the need for a deeper and more extensive investigation to address the Panay blackout that occurred on January 2. She highlighted the importance of reviewing and strengthening the effectiveness of all protocols, specifically the Department of Energy’s (DoE) mechanisms during incidents like simultaneous and unplanned power plant shutdowns. Hontiveros believes that urgent action is necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Senator Marcos, on the other hand, raised concerns about the NGCP’s alleged violation of Republic Act 9511, which pertains to the improvement, operation, and maintenance of the grid system in accordance with industry standards. She pointed out that the completion of crucial projects such as the Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project and the Cebu-Negros-Panay Interconnection Project should have occurred in 2020. The delay in completing these projects has contributed to the inability of the grid to re-route power from other parts of the country to Panay Island, exacerbating the impact of the power outage.
Senator Tolentino highlighted the adverse impact of widespread power disruptions on the region’s economy, affecting the productivity and operational efficiency of people and businesses in the provinces. He stressed the urgent need for new solutions, including infrastructure upgrades, improved maintenance schedules, and the exploration of alternative energy sources, to resolve these disruptions. Tolentino emphasized that failure to address these issues promptly could hinder the continuous and uninterrupted growth and prosperity of the region.
Meanwhile, at the House of Representatives, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos has called for a review of the NGCP’s franchise. He believes that Congress should conduct an investigation to revisit and review the franchise, ensuring the timely expansion of the transmission system to meet the development needs of the people. Marcos also suggested exploring the possibility of separating and transferring the systems operation function from the NGCP to another entity that can carry out the task more efficiently. This streamlining would allow the NGCP to focus on the construction and operation of the transmission grid.
In addition, Marcos proposed that the review should consider authorizing the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to impose administrative penalties on the transmission concessionaire. These penalties could amount to P2 million per day of violation or non-compliance with regulatory rules, or 1 percent of the cost of the delayed project based on the ERC-approved project cost, whichever is higher. Marcos believes that imposing such penalties would incentivize the NGCP to adhere to regulatory rules and ensure the timely completion of projects.
In response to the criticisms, the NGCP released a statement explaining that it is being unfairly blamed for problems that arose from the unplanned shutdowns of power generators. The corporation emphasized the need to address the root causes of these shutdowns and work collaboratively to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The call for an investigation by the senators and the review of the NGCP’s franchise by Representative Marcos reflects the commitment of the Philippine government to address the power outage issue and ensure the reliable and efficient operation of the country’s power grid. By conducting a comprehensive inquiry and exploring potential solutions, the authorities aim to prevent future disruptions and promote the continuous growth and prosperity of the affected regions.
Source: The Manila Times
