NGCP energizes Lanao del Norte power line in time for May 9 polls

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines announced early Thursday morning that it has energized the vital Agus 2-Baloi 138kilovolts (kV) Line after clearing right-of-way obstructions.

“NGCP is pleased to report that at 7pm of May 3, we have successfully energized the Agus 2-Baloi Line after invoking the Comelec resolution and with the assistance of government and law enforcement agencies during the clearing operations,” the NGCP said in a statement sent to GMA News Online.

However, the power connection is only one of eight lines identified as "critical" within the Mindanao grid. There are other areas that continue to be plagued by non-cooperation of land claimants demanding exorbitant charges for the use of their properties.

“It is unfortunate that some of these claimants are preventing us from conducting line maintenance activities on the basis of land payment claims properly address to the National Transmission Corporation (Transco). Others demand exorbitant amounts as payment for improvements deliberately built under the lines,” the company said.

“NGCP would have wanted all eight lines cleared before the elections to fully mitigate any power-related issues," it added.

Thus, the NGCP has asked the public and local community leaders for help in its negotiations with landowners, “to prevent longer power interruptions and ensure reliable operations, particularly on election day.”

Earlier this week, unidentified attackers blasted NGCP tower 25, which is part of the Agus 2-Kibawe 138kV Line in Barangay Linamon, Ramain, Lanao del Sur.

On December 24, 2015, a blast destroyed the same tower, which was restored three months after.

The incident is the 6th recorded bombing of NGCP towers this year. The company said the restoration of tower 25 start as soon as the area is secured. — LBG, GMA News