Following the continuous flow of infrastructure projects underway, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have signed a joint circular that will guide electric cooperatives on a unified mechanism concerning relocation of power facilities affected by government construction.
The two government bodies, represented by DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi and DPWH Undersecretary Karen Jimeno standing in for Secretary Mark Villar, have agreed to sign on the joint initiative during the signing ceremony at the DOE office in Taguig on Monday.
The circular undertakes to prescribe uniform guidelines and procedures for the proper payment of compensation, such as recovery of cost in the event of the need to relocate the distribution or sub-transmission lines of electric cooperatives.
“This joint initiative is in cognizance of the need to provide continuous, adequate and reliable electricity services to consumers while government projects are underway,” Cusi said.
As stated in the circular, DOE and DPWH will address where the facilities of electric cooperatives need to be relocated due to road-widening and bridge construction, among others.
Meanwhile, a government agency implementing a public works project should coordinate with the National Electrification Administration and electric cooperatives to address right-of-way issues related to involved facilities, including claims for compensation and determination of relocation sites.
Further concerns, like reasonable compensation for affected facilities, are also answered for, as well as an appropriate formula in the determination of proper compensation to the electric cooperative for the cost of the removal of the affected facility.
“With this joint circular, we will be able to accelerate and expand access to electricity services by our people,” Cusi said.
