BAGUIO CITY, Jan. 8(PIA) — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) appeals to the public to help in safeguarding transmission facilities following the bombing of several transmission towers in Mindanao recently.
NGCP North Luzon Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Officer Lilibeth Gaydowen called on the public to report any suspicious activities at NGCP transmission lines and to help safeguard and secure transmission facilities to ensure safe and continuous power transmission service.
At least 16 towers of the NGCP – six of them last December-were bombed by lawless elements causing power interruptions in Mindanao.
“Nakakalungkot dahil ang epekto ay nagkakaroon ng deficiency on power generation in Mindanao,” said Gaydowen.
The bombing of a tower last Christmas Eve caused two generation facilities, the government’s National Power Corporation -owned Agus 1 and 2 to be cut off from the Mindanao grid. As a result, as much as 150 MW of power was isolated from Mindanao consumers. Failure to restore the tower will further aggravate the supply deficiency in the region and longer rotational power interruptions may be expected.
NGCP warns that further bombing incident in any area in the country may prevent customers from enjoying uninterrupted electricity.
Although there were no recorded threats or bombing incidents affecting NGCP transmission lines in North Luzon, Gaydowen said that they are still on heightened alert following the bombing of one of the towers of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation in Mankayan, Benguet in December.
Gaydowen said that they have coordinated with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help in securing the different transmission facilities of the NGCP particularly in the Cordillera region where several vital installations are located./JDP/ RMC- PIA CAR
