NGCP restores transmission services in Maguindanao-Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines - The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has restored power transmission services in Maguindanao, Cotabato City and surrounding municipalities, the company said in an advisory yesterday.

 “Grid operator NGCP restored power transmission services to North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Cotabato City, and surrounding areas by activating a 69-kilovolt line at around 11:45 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2015,” the company said.

The said areas experienced power interruption at around 9 p.m. when a 138-kv line tripped due to a toppled tower at Brgy. Galakit, Pagalungan, Maguindanao.

NGCP said unidentified lawless elements bombed the tower.

Nevertheless, NGCP said the incident is an isolated one as it assured the public that the grid is intact and still operational.

 “NGCP is also coordinating with local authorities to find and apprehend the perpetrators,” it added.  

This developed as the grid operator said it has activated its Overall Disaster Command Center from Jan. 15 to 19 as part of its preparations to secure transmission operations and facilities during the state and pastoral visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines.

“Contingency plans are in place to monitor and quickly address any grid disturbance or major line tripping incidents.

The Command Center monitors the status of power transmission, restoration activities, and gathers reports and updates from the Regional Command Centers in North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

 The NGCP consortium holds the 25-year concession to operate the country’s power transmission network.

Similarly, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s biggest power distributor, also said its emergency teams are on standby for the papal visit as it warned the public not to release balloons or doves in areas where there are a lot of electrical wirings to avoid untoward incidents.