Party-list solon criticizes NGCP for power outages, alleges gaslighting

NGCP compound along Araneta Ave., Quezon City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — Anakalusugan Rep. Ray Reyes criticized the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) over the recent power outages, accusing them of gaslighting the public.

In response to NGCP’s statement on the unplanned power interruptions in Luzon and Panay Island, Reyes found their explanation “sorely lackluster.”

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Last week, Reyes filed House Resolution No. 966, urging the appropriate committees of the Lower Chamber to investigate the failure of NGCP and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in ensuring reliable power supply for the country.

“We have long recognized that NGCP’s failure to adhere to their Transmission Development Plan timeline, particularly in interconnecting major islands, is a significant factor contributing to the country’s intermittent and unreliable power supply,” stated the lawmaker.

Reyes questioned NGCP on Monday, saying, “You cannot call for better system planning when you are the sole grid system operator. How can you claim that proper system planning is needed due to ‘confluence of events’ when this could have been prevented if you had granted ancillary service contracts earlier?”

Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Guevara confirmed that the completion of the Visayas-Mindanao interconnection project by NGCP could have aided in power supply.

However, due to their inability to finish the project, the resulting power outages have put the lives of Filipinos at risk, especially those in need of life support services and medical attention during the peak summer months.

Reyes emphasized that a reliable power supply is crucial for the delivery of medical services and other life-saving treatments. He attributed the power interruptions to NGCP’s failure to recontract proper ancillary services in a timely manner.

“What ‘confluence of events’ are you now blaming? The ERC? When this is a predictable occurrence each year?” added Rep. Reyes.

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