Transco cites importance of P2-B project in Cebu

The National Transmission Corp. (Transco) said the P2-billion Cebu-Mactan interconnection project will play a vital role in the development of key economic hubs in the Visayas region particularly in the Mactan Export Processing Zone.

In a meeting with the Bishops-Businessmen Conference (BBC) headed by Cardinal Ricardo Vidal at the Archbishop’s Palace in Cebu this week, Transco president Alan T. Ortiz said the P2-billion project will serve the long-term requirements not only of Mactan but also of other key areas in the region such as Mandaue and Cebu.

"This is one of the two priority projects of Transco for the Visayas region, the other being the Leyte-Cebu interconnection project. This is part of Transco’s commitment to put up adequate and reliable transmission lines in the region pursuant to the requirements of the National Grid Code," Ortiz said.

The Transco chief said the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2005, has been thoroughly reviewed and endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Council as well as the different local government units of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. The Regional Development Council (Region 7) has also given its approval to the project.

"All the concerned agencies have approved the project and found it to be aboveboard," he said.

Ortiz said the design and cost of the project was given a thorough feasibility study by various technical groups and that a decision to build an underground infrastructure was based on important considerations such as right-of-way concerns and prevailing legislations.

It was noted that the project would be more expensive if overhead lines will be constructed because of additional costs due to right-of-way acquisitions. Also, the Cebu City government passed Ordinance No. 1894 in 2001 which mandated the underground installation of power and communication facilities in the area five years after the promulgation of the said ordinance.

"The design of the project is intended to meet the long-term power requirements of the region and provide new strengths to other businesses such as the telecommunication companies in the region which can use the fiber-optic lines we will install to boost their network capacities," Dr. Ortiz added.

Ortiz’s visit to Cebu highlighted the transmission company’s commitment to address the concerns of various groups and build wide-ranging support for its projects.

"We understand the importance of getting the support of various groups in the areas where we implement major projects as well as the need to provide a factual, informative discussion of relevant issues to enlighten these sectors. The dialogue was very fruitful as we were able to clear up misconceptions about the project," he said. – Donnabelle Gatdula