NGCP defends 'obligation' to issue tight power supply warning

Following criticism from Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Friday emphasized its obligation to warn the public on possible power supply issues during the dry season.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said the corporation has the responsibility to make such an announcement.

“Yung pagpapaalam sa publiko na may posibilidad na mangyari ‘yan ay kasama sa obligasyon at responsibilidad ng NGCP,” she said.

(Informing the public that there is a possibility that it will happen is part of the obligation and responsibility of the NGCP.)

On Tuesday, the NGCP warned of thin power supply conditions in the Luzon grid during the dry season due to a projected higher demand.

Cusi on Thursday hit the grid operator for issuing such a warning when it should be ensuring adequate supply during the dry season.

“So, what is NGCP doing about it?” he asked.

Alabanza said the issue was with power generation and that the NGCP is only responsible for the transmission of power.

“Kung maganda nga dadaanan, kung wala namang supply, ganun pa rin kalalabasan (Even though we have  good transmission lines, if we don’t have supply, the situation would be the same)” she said.

Citing the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, Alabanza said the NGCP is prohibited from engaging in supply generation business. She added that they could only offer coordination with the concerned parties.

“Gusto namin yung maagap dahil nakikita namin na may posibilidad at sa isang maselan panahon katulad ng eleksyon kailangan nating talagang siguraduhin yan,” she said.

(We want to be on alert because we are seeing the possibility of low power supply, and in a critical period like the elections, we really need to ensure the power supply.) — VBL, GMA News