The House Committee on Legislative Franchises, chaired by Parañaque City Representative Gus Tambunting, resumed its motu proprio inquiry into the operations of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as it sought ways to bring down electricity prices.
Marikina City Representative Stella Luz Quimbo pressed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and NGCP officials about transmission costs due to discrepancies in consumer billings. “Ano ba talaga ang presyo ng transmission charges?” Quimbo asked.
ERC Chair Monalisa Dimalanta clarified that while NGCP imposes a 3% wheeling charge, the actual transmission charge, including ancillary services, is 10%.
Dimalanta added that infrastructure limitations also increase generation costs.
Quimbo also noted how the insufficient infrastructure induces higher electricity transmission costs.
“Ang mga problema sa kalsada tulad ng traffic congestion, pareho din yan doon sa ating grid. Kulang na kulang ang ating transmission infrastructure,” the veteran legislator said.
“Ang mga problema sa kalsada tulad ng traffic congestion, pareho din yan doon sa ating grid. Kulang na kulang ang ating transmission infrastructure.”
Former National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) official, Atty. Melvin Matibag, backed the lady legislator’s assertions, citing a past study showing higher energy costs in Mindanao due to delayed interconnection projects.
Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Sharon Garin reported that only 6.71% of NGCP’s 224 projects are on time.
Quimbo also raised her concerns about NGCP’s management, particularly the designation of Chinese national Wen Bo as chief technical officer (CTO) in the past.
“Sa pagkakaalam ko sa Constitution, hindi ba dapat lahat ng executives ng isang public utility ay dapat po Pilipino?”
“Sa pagkakaalam ko sa Constitution, hindi ba dapat lahat ng executives ng isang public utility ay dapat po Pilipino?” she asked.
NGCP Assistant Corporate Secretary Ronald Concepcion confirmed Wen’s previous tenure, stating it had proper permits.
However, Quimbo requested submission of all documents justifying the appointment.
Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez did not see Wen’s appointment as an issue, citing an opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allowing a foreign chairman of the board and stated that there is no violation of the Constitution.
Atty. Abigail Tria of the SEC clarified that the CTO’s duties depend on NGCP by-laws, and that there were no complaints filed about the situation. Synergy Grid and Development Philippines Inc. president Atty. Paul Sagayo Jr. also stated that the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency did not find any violations when it comes to the country’s national security.
