The Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi repeated his call for the full audit of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) during the Senate Committee on Energy hearing, which discussed the national security of NGCP’s operation.
“We are hopeful that this hearing would finally put to rest the pending issues we have with NGCP, so we could finally eliminate doubts on the integrity of the Corporation. On the matter of national security, conducting a thorough inspection of the NGCP remains critical to ensuring that the best interests of our consumers are being upheld,” Cusi was quoted in a statement.
During the hearing, National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) President Atty. Melvin Matibag noted some of the important provisions of the concession agreement, including the government’s right to inspect its transmission facilities and determine the grid corporation’s compliance to the Franchise Agreement.
Cusi has asked NGCP’s full cooperation in allowing the government to perform audit. However, NGCP has repeatedly rejected the several audit requests made by DOE and TransCo since 2017.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. recommended the creation of new cyber security law to strengthen cyber securirty efforts in the country.
Senate Committee on Energy Chairperson Sherwin T. Gatchalian noted the need for the inclusion of the grid’s issues in the next next Cabinet Meeting of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“In the interest of national and energy security, a full audit of the NGCP must be undertaken. Only then will we be able to allay the fears of our countrymen. Only then will we be able to fully assure them of the grid’s safety,” Secretary Cusi concluded.
