Published
July 11, 2017, 10:01 PM By Myrna M. Velasco
A policy has been
institutionalized via a joint circular that was signed by two relevant
government agencies on the compensation and payment scheme for power facilities
that shall be affected by state-sanctioned infrastructure projects.
That circular was
signed between the Department of Energy and the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) fleshing out a “unified scheme” on compensation for power
facilities, including that of the electric cooperatives, that shall be moved to
other sites relative to construction undertakings on government projects.
In a statement to the
media, the energy department emphasized that the joint circular “prescribes
uniform guidelines and procedures for the proper payment of compensation and/or
recovery of cost in the event of the need to relocate the
distribution/sub-transmission lines of electric cooperatives.”
As stipulated in the
newly signed edict, the government agency that shall be implementing a public
works project shall coordinate with the National Electrification Administration
(NEA) and the electric cooperatives “to address the right-of-way concerns
related to the affected facility, including claims for compensation and
determination of relocation sites.”
Further, the circular
provides “an appropriate formula in the determination of proper compensation to
the electric cooperative for the cost of the removal of affected facility.”
Often, in the State’s
infrastructure build-up agenda, some electric power facilities are getting
affected in the process.
On the pact with DPWH,
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said “we have to address situations where the
facilities of electric cooperatives need to be relocated due to government
projects.”
He noted that such
could come in the form of road widening, bridge construction or any other
development paradigm.
The energy chief
stressed that while the country pushes its agenda for economic advancement,
vital sectors being affected shall not be left out without giving them due
attention and compensation.
He asserted “this joint
initiative is in cognizance of the need to provide continuous, adequate and reliable
electricity services to consumers while government projects are underway.”
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