To ensure continuous and reliable transmission of electricity in the country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has pledged to support the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in the on-time project commencement and completion of transmission line and substation projects in local government units (LGUs).
DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año says that the DILG in its exercise of general supervision over local government units (LGUs) shall aid the NGCP in the promotion of public safety and uninterrupted transmission of electricity as well as in protecting the security and integrity of the nation’s transmission system.
“Electricity is the driving force behind our nation’s economy.The DILG will therefore ensure that electricity reaches the farthest barangays and sitios in the country by providing the necessary assistance and support to the NGCP in the completion of its transmission projects,” says Año.
The NGCP is mandated under the law to manage, operate, and maintain the transmission system in the country and to expand the nationwide grid thereby ensuring that electricity generated by power plants are carried to the grid for transmission to all distribution utilities and directly-connected customers.
On Tuesday, the DILG Chief signed a memorandum of agreement with NGCP President and Chief Executive Officer Anthony L. Almeda for the fast and efficient transmission of electricity in the country.Witnesses to the signing are DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III and NGCP Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Andersen Co.
Under the agreement, the DILG shall endorse NGCP’s requests for the enactment of local ordinances prohibiting the planting of trees, conduct of hazardous activities, and introduction of structures within the right-of-way corridors of transmission and distribution lines.
The Department shall likewise immediately provide necessary police assistance in maintaining public order and preventing violence in the NGCP’s implementation of writs of possession or injunction duly issued by Courts to private properties in connection with its repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and maintenance activities.
Also part of the responsibilities of the DILG is to call the attention of LGUs for the immediate resolution of any issue should NGCP be unable to timely secure local permits despite compliance with all valid requirements.
“The Department fully supports the projects and initiatives of NGCP for the safe operation and maintenance of its transmission facilities and the uninterrupted and reliable provision of transmission services to the public through the timely completion of transmission projects,” says Año.
According to Año, the newly-signed Republic Act 11032 of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 and Executive Order No. 30 which created the Energy Investment Coordinating Council also call for streamlined procedures in the implementation of energy projects.
“I call on the cooperation and support of LGUs to facilitate the fast completion of transmission projects in their areas because at the end of the day, it is the communities and the public who will directly benefit from the convenience and ease of having electricity,” he says.
On the other hand, NGCP shall request the DILG’s assistance and bring to the attention of the Department any issue with LGUs relating to public safety, the continuity and reliability of power transmission, and the protection of the security and integrity of the power grid, among others. —DILGCO