By Christine Fabro
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that rotational brownouts in Luzon are caused by supply problems and not a distribution problem.
In a public briefing on Monday (June 28), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque echoed NGCP’s statement that the private firm’s ancillary authority to purchase power is only limited to provide stability on the grid.
“They have the legal basis to purchase power pero, it is only to promote stability of the grid; it is not to provide further supply to the grid kasi NGCP nga sila,” Roque said.
Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s meeting with NGCP officials last week, Roque mentioned that the President said, “Ayaw kong magkaroon ng rotational brownouts.”
When asked whether the NGCP may lose its concession agreement to operate the grid if it will not abide by the provisions of its contract with the government, the spokesperson said that Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has made such a warning.
“I think Secretary Cusi has made that warning but… ang sagot naman po ng NGCP is their legal authority to purchase power is not to provide further supply, it is only to promote stability of the grid, so iyon po. But Secretary Cusi has made that warning,” Roque responded. – rir
