An opposition lawmaker has decried the alleged discreet takeover of Chinese nationals at the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, revealing that the NGCP has given them clout beyond advisory roles and awarded 43 contracts to Chinese firms.
In a privilege speech, Senator Risa Hontiveros bared that Chinese nationals are exercising leadership and management roles in the country’s power grid, amid concerns about foreign control of the country’s electric power system.
“Materials for the infrastructure of the transmission lines have been supplied by Chinese firms using Chinese designed technology. I am prepared to show you a list of Chinese corporations that won contracts with the NGCP. Makikita sa listahan na ito na 43 contracts have been awarded to Chinese corporations,” she said.
The lady senator countered the statement of NGCP that State Grid Corporation of China, which has 40 percent stake in the country’s grid, is merely a technical adviser’.
“Mawalang galang, ngunit ito ay pinabubulaanan ng mga dokumentong nakarating sa aking tanggapan,” she said.
Hontiveros said the documents would prove that Chinese national Wen Bo was named NGCP chief technical officer, while a certain Liu Zhaoquiang was appointed assistant chief technical officer for Operations and Maintenance.
“Correct me if I am wrong, but if your designation is operation and maintenance, you work in the nuts and bolts of the enterprise. Ang malala pa, the current chairperson of the NGCP is Zhu Guangchao of the State Grid Corporation of China,” the senator said, citing a news report.
Hontiveros said with Chinese nationals at the helm, it is of little surprise that Filipino engineers are regularly sent to China to participate in training programs hosted by the State Grid Corporation of China.
“Ang chairman Chinese, halos lahat ng contractors Chinese, ang systems software made in China, at ang training sa China, pero dapat magtiwala at maniwala tayo na ito ay “Filipino-run”? It is my duty as a legislator to sound this alarm. It is our duty as the legislature to ensure that the interests of Filipinos are adequately protected,” added Hontiveros.
Hontiveros has already filed a resolution seeking a security audit on the national power grid.