SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has raised serious concerns over the potential risks posed by Chinese control within the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), questioning the implications of Chinese nationals occupying key decision-making roles in the corporation, given its critical role in the country’s energy security.
“Totoo ba na kapag halimbawa nagkaroon tayo ng alitan sa ating kapitbahay na China, eh isang pindot lang ba nila mawawala na ang power sa atin? That needs to be answered. The Filipino people must be informed,” Barbers said during the committee on legislative franchises hearing recently.
NGCP representative Atty. Lally Mallari responded to Barbers queries, noting that the control center of NGCP is physically secured.
“Mr. Chair, nandon ako sa likod ng kausap mo si aming Mr. Clark Agustin. ‘Yung scenario na kasi nabigay sa kanya is si terorista nasa kwarto na. But … bago siguro nakarating si terorista doon, kasi po ‘yung control center namin are physically secured,” Mallari said.
“And in so far as yung mga tao na mag-on at mag-off ng mga equipment, there are switching procedures which includes validation between control and substation. So sa hypothetical scenario, it appears hypothetically, it can be done. Pero sa tunay na buhay, Mr. Chair, may kalabuan,” she added.
Barbers was unconvinced, highlighting the sensitivity of such a scenario, raising alarm on the presence of a so-called “working group” reportedly led by Chinese nationals Yuan Minjun and Chen Changwei.
“Kanina ho kasi na-raised na po ito ni Congressman Suarez. And when he raised this issue of Chinese nationals being involved in the decision-making of the NGCP, did not just raised eyebrows, so to speak, but also, ito ay isang national security vulnerability sa tingin ko,” Barbers said.
Mallari, however, denied knowledge of the working group.
“Hindi po ako familiar sa working group na iyon,” she claimed, further stating that the decisions are made by departments within NGCP.
Barbers remained skeptical, pressing NGCP representatives to provide documents to substantiate their claims.
Barbers also reiterated the urgent need for NGCP to address its governance and operational transparency.
“You wouldn’t sleep with the enemy. Bakit natin ibinibigay ang kontrol ng ating power grid sa isang dayuhang kumpanya na malinaw na may kaugnayan sa gobyerno ng China?” he asked, stressing that national security must not be compromised.
