Transmission system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is extending some degree of ‘flexibility’ so the customers of problematic electric cooperatives would not just suffer unwarranted cut-off in electricity supply.

NGCP president and CEO Walter Brown noted that non-payment and disconnection of electric coops with outstanding financial obligations to them are among those that have to be resolved to improve overall electricity service in the country.

In what he considers as “meeting of the minds”, the transmission firm engaged the help of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) so they can work closely on resolving the financial arrears of some electric coops.

The company has cited NEA’s record in helping “some financially ailing electric cooperatives to settle their accounts through the agency’s short-term credit facility.”

Brown noted that while they can exercise some flexibility, he was also forthright in saying that the company’s cash flow has to be constantly shored up so it will gain wherewithal to invest in facilities’ expansion or upgrades aimed at improving service to customers.

Like any business, NGCP noted that it “needs the funds to carry out its mandate of expanding and maintaining the transmission grid and providing reliable electricity to consumers.”

In that vein, the NGCP chief executive appealed to its customers “to immediately settle outstanding
financial obligations to ensure continuous power transmission services.”

The company has not given exact figures as to the level of financial obligations it had with the ECs or other distribution utilities, but it straightforwardly stated that it needs to have its collections up-to-date, so it can keep itself financially afloat.

“To maintain power reliability, security, and quality, NGCP is taking all the appropriate actions to protect and uphold the interest of its stakeholders, including power customers who dutifully pay on time,” the company reiterated.

Since its entry as concessionaire for the National Transmission Corporation in January this year, the company emphasized that it already lined up various projects that will improve and expand the country’s electric transmission highway.

For instance, NGCP bared that in Northern Luzon, it is currently pursuing the rehabilitation of a portion
of the 80-kilometer 230-kilovolt San Manuel-Concepcion line. This, after one of the transmission towers along Agno River floodplain in Villasis, Pangasinan “was threatened by strong river current and soil erosion”, hence, needing immediate repair work.

“To maintain the integrity of the entire line, guy wires and other protection structures have been immediately installed onsite to prevent the tower from toppling,” the company said.

The construction of the bypass line is expected for completion in two weeks; while the reconstruction
of the towers on a special foundation will be due in three months.