National Grid Corp. of the Philippines dismissed the accusations of state-owned National Transmission Corp., saying the company has been doing business above board since taking over the operations of the country’s transmission network.
“There is fiber optic network existing in the national grid network. But primary use is to facilitate the interconnection/communication of substation facilities that we have,” National Grid spokesman Cynthia Perez-Alabanza said.
She said the company had a contract with the telecommunications companies under a co-location agreement.
Alabanza also said the company was not required to seek prior clearance from government agencies on related businesses, contrary to the claims of TransCo president Melvin Matibag.
“Telecoms use NGCP facilities via co-location agreements inherited from TransCo. NGCP is not legally required to get prior approval from PSALM (Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.), TransCo or ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission) to conduct related business,” Alabanza said.
TransCo engaged in the co-location business from 2003 to 2008, which National Grid pursued from 2009 to the present.
“These co-location agreements were assumed from TransCo and we just continued it,” the official said.
Alabanza also said National Grid never denied any request from TransCo for inventory and inspection.
“NGCP strictly complies with its concession agreement, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The company welcomes any audit, inspection and evaluation of its operations as deemed necessary by the government or regulators, but these must be conducted in compliance with reasonable restrictions, as NGCP, as grid operator, may impose,” she said.
She said TransCo must first clarify its intention and purpose in conducting the inspection.