NGCP warns the public of the possibility of intermittent power interruptions as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) denies its request for month on month extensions on ancillary services agreements, while the competitive selection process is being undertaken.

The ERC’s refusal came after NGCP concluded the acceptance and opening of bids for Ancillary Services (AS) on 14, 15, and 16 March 2023 for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, respectively. NGCP is currently evaluating the bids and expects to formally award contracts to winning bidders no later than 18 April 2023. Ancillary Services Procurement Agreements resulting from this competitive selection process (CSP) shall still be subjected to the approval of the ERC. With the regulatory processes that applications of this nature need to undergo, a provisional approval for the new ASPAs resulting from the AS CSP may not be expected earlier than June 2023.

“Many of NGCP’s AS agreements have expired. We have resorted to month to month extensions of our existing agreements to ensure the sufficiency of services while the procurement process is ongoing. With ERC’s denial of this interim arrangement, our hands are tied. The Philippine Transmission Grid shall be vulnerable to power interruptions resulting from an artificial lack of AS. Without an existing ASPA, NGCP cannot nominate power plants to provide the critical services,” explained NGCP.

Ancillary services support the transmission of power from generators to consumers to maintain reliable operations. These are necessary for NGCP to manage power fluctuations to ensure the quality and reliability of power flowing through its system. If not managed properly, fluctuations can cause damage to sensitive equipment, or even automatic load dropping (ALD) if the fluctuations are severe enough to pose a danger to the transmission system as a whole.

“We have always conducted the procurement of AS with good faith, with the best services for the least cost as a primary motivating factor. We have done much to improve the procurement process, but above all else, we must be able to provide these services. With this disappointing development, our hands are tied. If we sign interim extensions, we expect the ERC to issue us yet another show cause order. If we do not, we will be unnecessarily subjecting consumers connected to the grid to avoidable and damaging fluctuations or worse, interruptions,” explained NGCP.

NGCP has written to the Department of Energy (DOE) asking it to intervene in the issue and avert avoidable power interruptions. (PR)

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – A total of 241 Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Eastern Visayas took part in the culmination of the National ROTC Month 2023 on March 25, 2023 at 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division Headquarters.

The Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs, Usec. Franco Nemesio Gacal, graced the formal closing ceremony of the National ROTC Month celebration together with 8th Infantry Division Commander, Major General Camilo Z Ligayo, 8ID Assistant Division Commander for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, Colonel Erwin Rommel Lamzon, and Commandant of the different Reserve Forces in the region.

During the culmination activity, the ROTC Cadets showcased their developed skills through the Exhibition of Military Drills and Ceremonies, Capability Demonstrations, and other Military Exercises.

A 3rd-year Criminology student, Cadet 1st Class Gerard Ezekiel Lubos, Philippine Army ROTC Cadet shared that joining ROTC is one of the best decisions he made since he aspires to pursue a career in the army.

Cadet 1st Class Lubos has a call to other youths and students to join the Reserve Force of the country instead of joining left-leaning groups.

“Sana mahikayat din kayo na maging ROTC Cadet katulad ko, dahil balang-araw tayo ang magiging gabay at magsisiguro ang kaligtasan ng bansa lalong-lalo na sa panahon ng digmaan. At higit sa lahat hindi tayo malinlang ng mga teroristang CPP-NPA,” Cadet 1st Class Lubos stressed.

Aside from the cadets, the ROTC Commandants and National Service Training Program (NSTP) Coordinators in region 8 also participated in the said celebration.
The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps plays a vital role in nation-building, especially in the leadership development of youths. Military skills are harnessed and it includes career training. The most significant role of ROTC is the inculcation of the values and essence of patriotism among the youth.(PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– At least three men were arrested at a checkpoint in Allen town, Northern Samar on Tuesday early morning for carnapping which was later discovered to be carrying suspected shabu valued at P7 million.

The suspects, Amenolah Mamao, 32 and a resident of Santiago City, Isabela; Aminollah Mohammad,43 and a resident of Pantao, Ragat, Lanao del Norte; and Jabbar Azis,29 and a resident of Munai, Lanao del Norte and driver of the vehicle, a Toyota Vios, are now detained at the detention facility of the Allen police station.

Lt. Col. Ritchie Claravall, the officer-in-charge of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit of the Philippine National Police, disclosed that the vehicle was flagged down at a checkpoint in Barangay Jubasan, Allen at about 3 am.

During the inspection, the driver of the vehicle presented documents which later discovered to be spurious, he said. It was not clear yet, as of press time, where the vehicle came from and heeding.

The three also acted suspiciously which prompted them to conduct a body search on them for any possible possession of firearms.

Claravall added that with the assistance of a K-9 dog from the Coast Guard, 10 packs of suspected shabu placed in a sling bag were discovered inside the vehicle.

It was also learned that the vehicle has a tracking device reason its location was tracked. The owner of the said vehicle has an address of Tarlac City.

Claravall said that all three suspects will be charged for carnapping and transporting illegal drugs as provided under RA 9165, otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002.(JOEY A. GABIETA/ROBERT DEJON)