NGCP says landowner in Negros blocking restoration efforts, appeals for cooperation

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has appealed to landowners in Western Visayas to allow them to conduct restoration activities, as it said its personnel are being blocked in a certain area.

In an advisory released Monday, the NGCP said line personnel working on the Kabankalan-Sipalay 69 kV Line serving the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (NOCECO) are being blocked.

“We also appeal for the cooperation of all landowners in the ongoing restoration activities,” it said.

“Line personnel working on the Kabankalan-Sipalay 69kV Line serving NOCECO in Negros Occidental are being hampered from repairing broken and leaning poles by a landowner barring access to his property,” it said.

The NGCP consortium holds a 25-year concession contract and a 50-year franchise to operate the country’s power transmission network.

The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) holds a 40% stake in NGCP, while Henry Sy Jr.’s Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. and Robert Coyiuto Jr.’s Calaca High Power Corp. each hold 30%.

According to NGCP, it has already successfully energized the provinces of Samar, Cebu, and Leyte as of Monday, December 20. It has also started an alternative power restoration scheme.

The grid operator said a total of 12 towers and 462 transmission structure were found damaged by the typhoon as of 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 19.

The NGCP targets to restore transmission in the Mindanao provinces by Christmas, with a total of 65 line gangs or 520 personnel working on a 24/7 basis to expedite restoration efforts following the wrath of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai).

“Please note that this schedule refers only to transmission services, and not to distribution services or generating capacity,” it clarified.

“For complete restoration of power, all distribution and transmission facilities and sufficient generating capacity must be available. We defer to the Department of Energy and/or the National Electrification Authority for information on distribution and generation restoration,” it elaborated.

Odette left the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday afternoon, after causing “total devastation” in areas under its path.—AOL, GMA News