ANAKALUSUGAN Partylist Rep. Ray T. Reyes scored the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) after a recent Senate hearing revealed that it had been charging consumers for its delayed projects.
“Charging customers for a project that has not been completed should be considered a criminal act by NGCP,” Reyes said.
During the hearing of the Senate energy committee last Wednesday, NGCP assistant vice president Cynthia Alabanza admitted that NGCP had been charging consumers for projects that are yet to be completed.
“Hindi makatarungan na patuloy ang kita ng NGCP habang nagtitiis ang publiko sa dami ng delayed projects nila,” Rep. Reyes said.
“Kitang kita na NGCP lang ang nakikinabang dito dahil hindi naman nararanasan ng mga consumer ang mga benepisyo na hatid sana ng mga delayed projects na ito,” he added.
He urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to penalize NGCP for its delayed projects that adversely impact the country’s electricity supply.
“There is no sense of urgency because we don’t hold NGCP accountable for its inaction. As our country’s energy regulatory body, the ERC should make sure that the consumers are not disadvantaged,” Rep. Reyes said.
ERC records show that there are currently 72 delayed NGCP projects, including six energy projects of national significance.
“Paulit-ulit na itong mga problema sa NGCP at kailangan natin silang panagutin sa mga aberyang nararanasan natin,” Rep. Reyes said.
The legislative franchise of the NGCP was granted by Congress through Republic Act 9511 on December 1, 2008 while the ERC was created under RA 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 to regulate the entire electric power industry.
