The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) defended its decision to pass the costs of unfinished capital projects onto consumers, after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) fined the company more than P15 million for delays in its projects.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Friday, NGCP Spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Alabanza stated that this policy has been in place even when the government still controlled the transmission.
She further explained that electricity charges would increase if the company were to wait until its projects were completed.
“Sa consumer, ang kagandahan ho niyan [ay] utay-utay ho ang bayad natin sa malalaking proyekto na daang bilyon na ang inaabot ng ginagastos ng NGCP," Alabanza stated.
“So parang ho pag kayo nagpatayo ng bahay, ‘yung contractor niyo hihingi ng downpayment tapos po may progressive billing para hindi ho masakit sa bulsa ‘yung isang bagsakang bayaran,” she added.
The NGCP claimed that they should not be blamed for the increase in electricity charges. Alabanza pointed out that the NGCP receives just over P3 for every P100 paid by consumers for electricity.
Moreover, generation companies are reported to receive half of the electricity charges, while 23% goes to distributors like MERALCO.
The rest of the percentage is directed to ancillary services and universal charges, incuding the government’s debt.
The NGCP is under scrutiny in the House of Representatives for alleged provision breaches and operational shortcomings.
