by Myrna Velasco May
9, 2016 (updated)
Transmission firm
National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is hobbled with another
right-of-way (ROW) concern on deliberately planted trees and claimed that this
is now a threat to Luzon power grid.
In a statement to the
media, the firm noted that “despite repeated efforts to negotiate with
landowners…NGCP was denied entry into the property to trim intentionally
planted trees underneath transmission facilities.”
The company stressed
“this poses a threat to the transmission of electricity to Central Luzon power
customers.”
The
alarm bells were raised primarily at the holding of the country’s national and
local elections that is culminating this week.
The company indicated
that “the untrimmed trees are along Cabanatuan-San Isidro 69 kV (kilovolt)
lines 1 and 2; and Mexico-Cabanatuan 230kV line.”
It was further noted
that such traversed the property of Hernal family along Barangay Soledad in Sta
Rosa, Nueva Ecjia. This is the party that has been refusing NGCP an access to
their property. “NGCP’s best efforts to enlist the help of the PNP (Philippine
National Police) and Comelec (Commission on Elections) proved futile as NGCP
was still barred from conducting the maintenance activities inside the property”
the transmission firm said.
It further opined
that “with the Comelec-issued resolution, we were given legal cover to access
the transmission facilities and begin the clearing of trees that may hamper the
transmission of electricity.”
Nevertheless, the company
emphasized that “these uncooperative landowners are resisting our efforts” –
referring to planned tree-trimming or cutting activities.
NGCP explained that
“the intentional planting of trees and plants underneath transmission lines may
cause power outage that only burdens the public, which must suffer through
these service interruptions when lines trip.”
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