An NGCP top official maintained that the company is a Filipino corporation and run by Filipinos, allaying concerns about China role in the operation of the country’s power grid.
“The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) does not exercise control over the power grid nor over NGCP,” NGCP Vice Chairman Henry Sy Jr. told the House Committee on Legislative Franchises in his opening statement.

“Domestic corporations Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation and Calaca High Power Corporation each hold thirty percent (30%), or a total of sixty percent (60%) of the outstanding capital stock of NGCP, whereas SGCC only holds a minority share of forty percent (40%),” he added, stressing that SGCC’s shareholding in NGCP is consistent with the Constitution.

On the matter of NGCP’ partnership with a Chinese firm, Sy clarified that SGCC was already on board and the shareholders agreement was already in place when he purchased his shares in 2010.

He also debunked reports that the Chinese can shut down the country’s power grid, stressing that “it is NGCP alone, through its Filipino directors and personnel, and not the Chinese, which has control over the System Operations.”

“The Chinese do not have control over the Grid,” he emphasized, adding “there is no proverbial single red button that can instantly turn off the Grid.”

There are protocols that actually prevent this, Sy stated.

Sy also informed the Committee that NGCP’s SCADA system is a secure stand-alone, isolated system not connected to any other network or internet, thus making it safe from remote hacking.

Sy also underscored the need for stability, not just in the power grid, but also in supply, law, policy and regulation, for a more robust power industry.

“I strongly urge our DOE to look at the problem as a whole. The data is clear, 97 percent of the power interruptions from 2016 to 2023 was caused by problems in supply,” Sy pointed out.

“We need stable, affordable baseload power. We need a comprehensive, aligned plan that considers the needs of all sectors. We are willing to be part of the solution, but transmission should not be the solution to everyone’s problems,” he said. (PR)

ORMOC CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) has officially partnered with ASEZ WAO, the young adult worker volunteer group of the World Mission Society Church of God, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support their environmental advocacy efforts.

The MOU was signed by District Engineer Rosita A. Tinawin and Assistant District Engineer Peter Scheler V. Soco, with ASEZ WAO Tacloban Branch Manager Matthew Park. It aims to strengthen efforts in addressing environmental challenges, particularly by reducing plastic waste through the “No More GPGP” campaign, which advocates for eliminating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

In her message, DE Tinawin praised the group’s dedication to environmental and humanitarian efforts. “On behalf of the community, I extend my deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment,” she said. “May your efforts continue to flourish and inspire others to join in creating a meaningful change. Thank you for your commitment to humanity and to earth.”

As part of the program, the Korean volunteers prepared video presentations highlighting their environmental projects, along with performances like the traditional Korean fan dance, “Buchaechum”, and musical numbers that showcased their passion for advocacy. Employees from the DEO showed their support by signing their pledges to advance the group’s cause. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 8 has issued the latest advisory on red tide occurrences in Eastern Visayas, based on laboratory examinations conducted by the BFAR Regional and National Fisheries Laboratories.

BFAR announced that seawater samples collected from San Pedro Bay in Basey, Samar are now negative for the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense. This means it is safe to consume all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as “Alamang” or “Hipon,” from this area.

However, laboratory tests revealed that shellfish meat samples collected from Leyte, Leyte tested positive for Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (saxitoxin). To safeguard public health and protect the shellfish industry, BFAR has issued a strict warning to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. from this area. Consumption of contaminated shellfish can lead to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).

BFAR has also maintained the shellfish ban in the following areas due to the presence of toxins beyond the regulatory limit: Daram Island, Samar;Irong-Irong Bay, Catbalogan City; and Matarinao Bay, Eastern Samar (covering General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo).

Harvesting, eating, and collecting all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. “Alamang” from these areas remain strictly prohibited. Violators of the shellfish ban will face penalties.
Filtered seawater samples from the following areas were found positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a dinoflagellate that produces red tide toxin (saxitoxin).

The public is similarly advised against the gathering, selling, and consumption of shellfish and Acetes sp. from these areas to prevent PSP.

Despite the presence of red tide toxins in these areas, fish, squid, shrimp, and crab are safe to consume, provided they are fresh; their internal organs, such as intestines and gills, are removed and thoroughly cleaned.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)