PB finally backing NGCP project

CEBU, Philippines - After two years, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has finally gotten the endorsement of the Provincial Board for its Toledo-Naga transmission project.

The PB through the resolution sponsored by Board Member Christopher Baricuatro endorsed the construction of the Calong-Calong-Toledo-Colon 138 kilo-volts transmission project.

Last July 2011, the NGCP failed to secure the endorsement due to the past liabilities of the National Power Corporation.

The liabilities of the Napocor were disclosed during the appearance of NGCP officials before one of the PB sessions when Board Member Alex Binghay raised that he is among the lot owners who remained unpaid.

Compensations include easement fee, tower occupancy fee, fees for crops, plants and trees, and replacement cost of house or structures and disturbance compensation to landowners, tenants and tillers, and house owners affected by transmission lines.

During last week’s PB session, Binghay no longer objected to the resolution of Baricuatro.

“I think they are making the right move now,” Binghay said.

The issue Binghay brought up happened during the time of Napocor which is now NGCP.

NGCP officials earlier assured the PB to update on the status of the liabilities of the Napocor.

The NGCP has asked for PB endorsement for the 138 kilo-volts Calong-Calong, Toledo-Colon, Naga Transmission Project worth P600 million in 2011.

From Naga, another transmission project worth P560 million to Banilad, Cebu City Sub-Station to supply 3 x 82 megawatts from Cebu Energy Development Corporation to Metro Cebu area including Mactan Island.

Baricuatro, in sponsoring the endorsement, said that the Province of Cebu finds the project to be of extreme necessity for both the constituents.  (FREEMAN)