Marcos urges NGCP to complete energy projects on time

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to finish its energy expansion developments on time.

The President led the ceremonial energization of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) Backbone Project Stage 3 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Other simultaneous ceremonial openings were held in Iloilo and Cebu.

“The timely completion of critical projects in strategic locations is paramount to avoid power disruptions and to ensure our continued development. Let us remain steadfast in our drive to ensure timely completion of these remaining major transmission projects to bolster the stability of our power grid,” said Marcos in his speech.

READ: Visayas power interlink goes live

“I urge the NGCP to deliver on the expansion developments in a timely manner. Rest assured, the government will continuously assist you in this shared endeavor,” he added.

‘Outages hindrance to progress’

Marcos said the Department of Energy is working closely with NGCP.

READ: Marcos blames blackout on ‘NGCP’s failure to act’

“Power outages are a hindrance to progress. Our power system must be the spark to ignite development,” said Marcos.

NGCP has repeatedly earned the government’s ire for power instability in several areas, including the blackouts in Western Visayas in January. Marcos himself blamed the NGCP for the blackouts due to its failure to act.

According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the CNP project will improve the transmission network in Visayas.

“This monumental milestone represents a significant step towards ensuring a stable transmission grid in the Philippines, and we are honored to lead and witness its completion,” said NGCP in a statement.