TransCo, Meralco to work for reversal of court rulings vs transmission line

The National Transmission Corp. and the Manila Electric Co. said they hope to stave off a Luzon power crisis by exhausting all legal means to reverse court rulings against the operation of a key transmission line.

TransCo president Arthur Aguilar told a press conference that they have filed a motion to lift an injunction issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court on the presentation of the state firm’s argument for the activation of the 230-kilovolt Sucat-Araneta-Balintawak transmission line.

The Supreme Court, in a ruling on a petition of Dasmariñas Village residents, ordered TransCo not to energize the transmission line until it can be proved that it poses no health risks to residents in the vicinity.

Meralco vice president for legal Anthony Rosete said the company has filed a separate motion for intervention “for the protection of Meralco customers.”

“Many customers are supplied through these transmission lines. If de-energized, we will have prolonged and rotating brownouts,” Rosete said.

“It’s so critical because that’s basically the highway of electricity. We are really praying before the court to take a look at the implementation of the injunction,” he said.

Based on a rotating brownout scheme being readied by TransCo and Meralco, there will be two to three-hour rotating blackouts on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The power outages will cover Metro Manila – including the Makati and Ortigas business districts – and parts of Bulacan among others.

Aguilar said the Makati RTC has given parties involved 10 days to submit their respective arguments.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said he is optimistic that there will be no power crisis and that the court will decide fairly on the case.