NGCP: Repair of fire-hit transmission tower may take at least 3 days

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines needs at least three more days to restore its fire-hit transmission tower in Alabang, the firm operating the state-owned power grid said Thursday.

NGCP's Tower 34 tilted and partly collapsed after its base was weakened by Wednesday's fire that engulfed residences within its vicinity.

NGCP assistant corporate secretary Atty. Ronald Dylan Concepcion said that heavy rains in the Alabang area caused delays in efforts to rehabilitate the tower on Wednesday.

"As of last night we estimated three days for the repair of the tower. Hindi namin na-anticipate yung malakas na ulan kagabi so ngayong umaga pa lang nila sinusubukang itayo yung tower," Concepcion said in an interview on "News To Go."

"If the weather conditions cooperate and as long as the safety of the residents in the area is ensured, tuloy-tuloy po yung pagkumpuni namin ng tore." 

NGCP personnel began efforts to raise the tower on Wednesday night, by attaching a chain from the tower to a crane. 

But workers found out it was impossible to do so, as the cables may snap and cause more damage.

Concepcion assured the affected residents that the NGCP will build a stronger foundation for the tower and replace its damaged steel portions.

"We are doing everything we can to make sure na hindi na mauulit ito. Doon sa initial assessment namin, ang nakita lang namin na damage is probably the lower thirds portion of the tower yung steel mismo." 

"Puwede naman yun palitan ng panibagong bakal, ang tinitgnan lang talaga namin ngayon is the concrete foundation. Pero as of now wala naman kami nakikitang damage dun, okay pa siya," he added.

Informal settlers

The NGCP suspected disgruntled informal settlers, who have been in the area since 1985, intentionally torched the tower.

According to Concepcion, the NGCP management had tried to conduct a dialogue with settlers and coordinated with the local government of Muntinlupa for their relocation.

But they are demanding compensation for their relocation, which the NGCP refused, he said.

"Hindi ganoon kasimple rin yung problema kasi kailangan hanapan ng relocation site yung mga 'yan. Nanghihingi din sila ng compensation kung minsan. Minsan hindi tama rin na i-compensate mo sila for something na illegally ginagawa [nila]. Iko-condone mo yung mali e," he said.

Concepcion reminded the residents of the danger of living within the vicinity of their transmission towers.

"Hindi talaga puwedeng magtayo ng kahit anong bagay dyan sa paligid ng transmission line, ke bahay, puno, gusali. Delikado talaga yan kasi puwedeng magtrip yung linya at puwede silang bagsakan nung tore gaya nga ng nangyari," Concepcion said.

Repair plan

NGCP repair workers on Thursday brought into the area cranes and restoration systems to implement the restoration plan.

"Part of NGCP’s restoration strategy includes the lifting/erection of the leaning tower using cranes and the installation of an Emergency Restoration Structure (ERS), a temporary line used to bypass an affected facility," NGCP said in a statement posted on Facebook.

"NGCP is employing alternative options to fast-track the tower repair. We want to make sure that apart from mobilizing our manpower and materials, we also have a viable, safe, and efficient restoration plan,” it added.

Quoting NGCP sources, GMA News' Cedric Castillo on "Balitanghali" reported that field personnel's main objective is to erect the tower and to change its burned or damaged parts.

Field workers are also looking into the possibility of changing the whole steel tower, but the NGCP has last say.

Meanwhile, traffic authorities advised the public of rerouting schemes for the possible temporary closure of the Alabang viaduct due to the restoration work.

"Pwede po nilang gamitin ay 'yung Sucat Exit at yung Filinvest Exit. For light vehicles and private vehicles, pwede rin naman nila gamitin 'yung Susana Heights Exit. So they will traverse, gagamitin po nila 'yung national road ng Muntinlupa," said Dani Nolasco, Muntinlupa Traffic Management head.

"Pinayagan ng Filinvest na makaraan 'yung buses doon sa kanilang exit. So meron kasi silang mga accredited buses," Nolasco added.

Moreover, the Muntinlupa Information Office said the 200 informal settlers will not be allowed to return to the area. —Joseph Tristan Roxas with a report from Anna Felicia Bajo/LBG, GMA News