The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines has renewed its call for local government units to ensure the timely approval of transmission project permits.
NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Perez-Alabanza said over the weekend that the company always aims to complete its projects on time but also needs the support of LGUs and landowners.
“We always work with a view to timely implementation of the project. But having said that, I will renew my call for support for NGCP’s infrastructure projects in terms of right-of-way. Landowners, I hope they will negotiate with us in good faith,” Alabanza said.
NGCP is the operator of the country’s transmission network through its franchise and concession agreement with the government.
“We are also talking to all the newly elected local government executives that I hope they will support our initiatives, especially in their localities, in terms of the timely issuance of permits,” she said.
Alabanza said they are also hoping for the continued issuance of the required regulatory approvals.
“Because we can’t really talk to our projects if we don’t have ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission),” she said.
Alabanza said the ERC has issued several approvals of NGCP’s transmission projects in the last 24 months, although the company has around 100 pending applications.