NGCP is Filipino-led company, clarifies there’s no single off button

There’s no single button that can shut down the power grid, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) maintained as it reiterated that it is a Filipino-led company.

Clark Agustin, NGCP Assistant Vice President for System Operations, clarified that NGCP abides by the internal procedures outlined under the Philippine Grid Code.

“Decisions are based on established procedures. Mayroon para sa maintenance at mayroon din para sa emergency,” Agustin said, adding that there are control centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

“If you decide to cut off power for entire country, wala pong ganun. Wala rin pong central control point na single button,” he clarified.

Agustin also allayed worries about the China-made equipment used by NGCP for its operation, saying China is a technical partner allowed by government.

“Wala pong midnight deal na nangyari. Transparent po ang NGCP sa lahat ng mga galaw at transaksiyon nito,” he pointed out.

NGCP also reiterated that it is a Filipino-led company, with 60 percent of its shares owned by Filipinos.

The consortium comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation, Calaca High Power Corporation, and State Grid Corporation of China won the bidding for the operation of the country’s transmission grid for a purchase price of $3.95 billion.

Monte Oro Grid Resources and Calaca owns 60 percent of the company while State Grid Corporation of China holds 40 percent, meeting the law’s requirement for foreign investors.