To ensure the power grid’s optimal performance, transmission service provider NGCP continues to upgrade its substation facilities nationwide through its ongoing substation reliability projects.

These improvements introduced by NGCP are filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Many of these projects were implemented from 2016 onwards but have not yet received ERC’s provisional approval. Given the operational need, NGCP proceeded with the implementation of these projects, setting aside for later, the issue on recovery approvals from the ERC. “Our priority has and will always be doing what is best for the public. Financial considerations can take a back seat and be threshed out later,” the company stressed. “We hope to correct the impression that the consumers are somehow shortchanged with how rates are computed. Our commitment has never wavered: we serve the public, and we work within the legal and regulatory framework of our concession and franchise,” NGCP emphasized.

Since taking over transmission operations in 2009, NGCP invested PhP3.289 Billion in upgrades across 15 of its substations and converter stations in Taytay, Binan, Quezon, Abaga, Mexico, San Jose, Sucat, Compostela, Davao, Ormoc, Naga, Araneta, Agus 2, Calaca, Agus 6, and Tiwi A and C. These improvements cater to the increasing load growth and reliability of the system.

NGCP also implemented its power transformer replacements to update old and aging transformers installed prior to the privatization of the transmission grid. From 2018 to 2021, NGCP replaced 33 power transformers and improved the efficiency and reliability of substation operations. Twelve transformers were replaced in North Luzon, 4 in NCR, 5 in South Luzon, 3 in Visayas, and 9 in Mindanao with a total equipment cost of US$37.7 Million or PhP1.8 Billion.

Besides this, 14 spare power transformers worth US$14.6 Million or PhP764 Million were also delivered to 6 substations in North Luzon, 5 in South Luzon, 1 in Visayas, and 2 in Mindanao.

NGCP also constantly prepares for possible effects of man-made and natural calamities that may affect the continuous transmission of power. The company included the procurement of mobile transformer units that can be moved, installed, and energized within the region in less than 36 hours to restore power serving specific localities. Four mobile transformer units worth US$12.1 Million or PhP612 Million have been delivered to substations in Mexico in Pampanga, Daraga in Albay, Cadiz in Bacolod, and in South Cotabato.

“The company continually implements projects to improve substation operations for the efficient and reliable delivery of power. NGCP invests in the best technology to better serve its customers,” said NGCP. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez (4th district) is thankful that the sports facility for modern pentathlon and fencing is already completed and can now be used by their athletes.

The construction of the P35 million worth facility was funded by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go who happened to be the chairman of the committee on sports.
Construction started last year and was completed last month.

“Ang impact nito is more than local, it’s international. We train our Ormocanon athletes to become players to a national level,” Rep. Gomez said.

Sen. Go led the inauguration of the said sporting facility on Friday (June 16) together with Rep. Gomez and City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez and other city officials.

Gomez noted the recent feat of Ormoc athletes in the UIPM 2023 Asia and Southeast Asia Championship of Laser Run and Triathlete in Pattaya, Thailand where they hauled seven gold and two silver medals.

The UIPM 2023 is a three-day event with over 80 athletes from 15 competing nations participating in the international sports competition.

“Ganun kaganda ang sports program nation when it comes to modern pentathlon. We take pride in that, it’s not just on modern pentathlon but in other sports as well,” Gomez added.
Gomez also noted the recent achievement of their athletes at the recently-concluded Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association where they again landed in first place, besting 12 other school divisions in the region.

Aside from the fencing and modern pentathlon facility, Gomez shares that Sen. Go is also funding the construction of BMX and Skateboard Park in the city.

In his visit to the fencing hall, Sen. Go reminded the athletes, who are composed of elementary and secondary students, to always do their best when they are in competition.
“(And) I am always ready to assist athletes, especially the youth who are our future,” Sen. Go said.

He also reminded the athletes to study well and train properly and avoid doing vices like illegal drugs to ensure that they will have a better future. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

In Northern Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – The candidate from the town of Lavezares, Meg Ymata Di, was crowned as the first Mutya sa Ibabao in the pageant held Saturday (June 17) evening.

The Mutya San Ibabao is a rebranding of the previous beauty pageant, Miss Northern Samar, and was held to a sell-out crowd at the provincial covered court here.
Di, 19, a 2nd year BS Nursing student bested 19 other candidates who represented their respective towns at the provincial pageant.

Di also received two major awards, best in swimsuit and best in evening gown.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan crowned the new queen and also awarded her a cash prize worth P150,000.

Catarman’s bet, Emeliene Marie Rubenecia, placed first runner-up while the candidate from Bobon, Kathleen Esquillo, placed second runner-up.

The two beauty queens also received P100,000 and P75,000 cash prizes respectively.
Winners of special awards include Jayrene Zyrette Ibañez of San Vicente winning the Miss Congeniality award, and Jasmine Rose Robiños of Laoang who bagged the Miss Photogenic and the Best in Philippine Terno award.

Miss Laoang’s Philippine Terno designer, her fellow Laoangon Nilo Giray, received a cash prize of P10,000 from the province and another P15,000 from internationally acclaimed designer Puey Quiñones a one-year contract, allowance and board and lodging.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)