TransCo, Makati village officials meet to avert blackouts

In an effort to avert the impending blackouts in Luzon, top officials of the National Transmission Corp., Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. have reportedly met with Dasmariñas village residents over the weekend, sources privy to the meeting said.

The “exploratory” talks, sources said, apparently were geared toward a “win-win” solution over the de-energization of a disputed power line, 230-kilovolt Sucat-Araneta-Balintawak line upon orders of the Makati Regional Trial Court.

Meralco president Jesus Francisco, in a text message, neither confirm nor deny the occurrence of such a meeting. “I can’t discuss that. That could be sub-judice,” the Meralco chief said.

The meeting was reportedly held at the Dasmariñas residence of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban.

According to sources, a representative from the Department of Health was also invited since one of the critical issues involved is the alleged health impact of electromagnetic fields being generated by transmission lines, the same sources said.

The contending parties may reportedly consider tapping experts from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research in Cancer who could render an opinion respected by both sides on the issue.

Those who attended the meeting reportedly discussed the possibility of allowing the continued energization of the line while hearing the merits of the case; relocating the line; or acquiring the properties and paying concerned homeowners.