DAVAO CITY - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said the prolonged power interruptions due to line trippings experienced in some parts of Mindanao Tuesday were due to maliciously planted vegetation of uncooperative landowners.

(Photo courtesy of NGCP / MANILA BULLETIN)

In a statement, the NGCP said at 1:11 pm on Tuesday, January 19, the NGCP was able to re-energize the Agus 5-Aurora 138KV line after it tripped at 8:30 am Tuesday, causing a total blackout in the Northwestern Mindanao area. The blackout affected customers of at least six electric cooperatives in Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City and Lanado del Norte.

The NGCP had to trim what it described as "maliciously planted vegetation which caused the fault at Sitio Taytay, Ditucalan, Iligan City".

"The vegetation overgrowth was caused by the landowner’s refusal to allow NGCP to conduct line clearing activities," it said.

On Monday, January 18, the NGCP said the Baloi-Aurora 138kV line tripped "due to the toppling of Tower 60 by the intentional pilferage of tower parts."

"Overgrown vegetation also aggravated the situation as the landowner refused entry to NGCP personnel while demanding an exorbitant amount in payment for the intentionally planted vegetation," it added.

The NGCP coordinated with local authorities on Tuesday to be given access by the landowner of the area where Tower 60 of the Baloi-Aurora 138kV line is located. It said the repairs for the restoration of the said line will start on Wednesday, January 20.

The NGCP added that permanent restoration of the toppled tower will be determined after they completed the damage assessment.

"Manual load droppings continue to be experienced by customers in the Northwestern Mindanao area while the line remains unrestored," it added.

The NGCP asked for the cooperation of landowners and the public to respect RA 11361 or the the Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act "by not engaging in prohibited activities near or under the transmission line corridor."

"Hampering the delivery of power transmission services affects not only their immediate vicinity, but the entire region, including hospitals, schools, businesses, and entire communities which largely depend on electricity to operate especially at a time where we face a global health crisis such as COVID-19,” it said.

The NGCP said under Republic Act No. 11361, "it is illegal to construct hazardous improvements, plant vegetation, or perform any activity under the power corridor of transmission lines which may cause power interruptions."

"It is also illegal under the law to refuse entry to authorized transmission line personnel to conduct clearing and restoration activities. Any person found guilty of committing any of the prohibited acts shall be subject to a penalty of imprisonment of 6 months to 12 years and/or fine ranging from Php50,00000 up to Php200,000.00, at the discretion of the court," it added.

Zea Capistrano & Bonita Ermac

NGCP blames ‘uncooperative’ landowners for widespread blackout in parts of Mindanao