Top NGCP official refutes concerns on foreign ownership, control over grid: 'Meron kaming sariling sistema' | ABS-CBN
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Top NGCP official refutes concerns on foreign ownership, control over grid: 'Meron kaming sariling sistema'
Top NGCP official refutes concerns on foreign ownership, control over grid: 'Meron kaming sariling sistema'
Workers fix a power transmission line near Tagaytay City on January 21, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file
Workers fix a power transmission line near Tagaytay City on January 21, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file MANILA – A top official of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reiterated that it is a Filipino company, amid allegations about foreign ownership and control of the country's power grid.
MANILA – A top official of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reiterated that it is a Filipino company, amid allegations about foreign ownership and control of the country's power grid.
NGCP President and CEO Anthony Almeda faced lawmakers during the House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing on Thursday and spoke on behalf of NGCP Vice Chairman and business tycoon Henry Sy Jr.
NGCP President and CEO Anthony Almeda faced lawmakers during the House Committee on Legislative Franchises hearing on Thursday and spoke on behalf of NGCP Vice Chairman and business tycoon Henry Sy Jr.
Almeda said Sy intended to attend Thursday's proceedings but was held up after his prescheduled morning appointment and could not make it to Congress on time.
Almeda said Sy intended to attend Thursday's proceedings but was held up after his prescheduled morning appointment and could not make it to Congress on time.
Reading Sy's prepared statement, Almeda stood firm on NGCP's ownership.
Reading Sy's prepared statement, Almeda stood firm on NGCP's ownership.
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"NGCP is a Filipino corporation, and we run the company as Filipinos. We bought the transmission business from the government in 2007, in open public bidding, at the cost of almost 4 billion dollars. We did this in good faith, and in accordance with the EPIRA law passed by congress," he said.
"NGCP is a Filipino corporation, and we run the company as Filipinos. We bought the transmission business from the government in 2007, in open public bidding, at the cost of almost 4 billion dollars. We did this in good faith, and in accordance with the EPIRA law passed by congress," he said.
"The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) does not exercise control over the power grid nor over NGCP," Almeda added, reading Sy's statement.
"The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) does not exercise control over the power grid nor over NGCP," Almeda added, reading Sy's statement.
Sy said the SGCC's shareholding is consistent with the 1987 constitution.
Sy said the SGCC's shareholding is consistent with the 1987 constitution.
"Domestic corporations Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation and Calaca High Power Corporation each hold 30 percent, or a total of 60 percent of the outstanding capital stock of NGCP, whereas SGCC only holds a minority share of 40 percent," Almeda said, still reading the statement.
"Domestic corporations Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation and Calaca High Power Corporation each hold 30 percent, or a total of 60 percent of the outstanding capital stock of NGCP, whereas SGCC only holds a minority share of 40 percent," Almeda said, still reading the statement.
Sy said the shareholder's agreement was already in place when he purchased shares in 2010, referring to the NGCP's partnership with a Chinese firm.
Sy said the shareholder's agreement was already in place when he purchased shares in 2010, referring to the NGCP's partnership with a Chinese firm.
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He likewise dismissed the claim raised in previous hearings that there is a "single button" that can shut down the country's power grid.
He likewise dismissed the claim raised in previous hearings that there is a "single button" that can shut down the country's power grid.
"Our SCADA [supervisory control and data acquisition] system is a secure stand-alone, isolated system that is not connected to any other network. It is not connected to the internet, and it cannot be remotely hacked. It is NGCP alone, through its Filipino directors and personnel, and not the Chinese, which has control over the System Operations," he said.
"Our SCADA [supervisory control and data acquisition] system is a secure stand-alone, isolated system that is not connected to any other network. It is not connected to the internet, and it cannot be remotely hacked. It is NGCP alone, through its Filipino directors and personnel, and not the Chinese, which has control over the System Operations," he said.
"The Chinese do not have control over the Grid. There is no proverbial single red button that can instantly turn off the Grid. There are protocols that actually prevent this," Almeda explained.
"The Chinese do not have control over the Grid. There is no proverbial single red button that can instantly turn off the Grid. There are protocols that actually prevent this," Almeda explained.
Sy urged the Department of Energy to "look at the problem as a whole." He said 97 percent of the power interruptions from 2016 to 2023 were caused by problems in supply.
Sy urged the Department of Energy to "look at the problem as a whole." He said 97 percent of the power interruptions from 2016 to 2023 were caused by problems in supply.
"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," it further stated.
"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," it further stated.
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Before the hearing, NGCP Spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza reiterated there is no "single button" to shut down the grid.
Before the hearing, NGCP Spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza reiterated there is no "single button" to shut down the grid.
"Walang control sa labas ng sistema. Ang sistema ng NGCP ay closed. Ibig sabihin niyan hindi kami nakasalalay sa third party service providers. Meron kaming sariling sistema," she said.
"Walang control sa labas ng sistema. Ang sistema ng NGCP ay closed. Ibig sabihin niyan hindi kami nakasalalay sa third party service providers. Meron kaming sariling sistema," she said.
"Ang mga enhinyero natin ay puro Pilipino. Mahigpit ang aming security protocols na sinisiguro na walang makakapasok na sinoman. Maski ako, matagal na akong empleyado ng NGCP, merong highly secure areas na kung gusto kong bumisita, kailangan ko magcomply sa security protocols," Alabanza added.
"Ang mga enhinyero natin ay puro Pilipino. Mahigpit ang aming security protocols na sinisiguro na walang makakapasok na sinoman. Maski ako, matagal na akong empleyado ng NGCP, merong highly secure areas na kung gusto kong bumisita, kailangan ko magcomply sa security protocols," Alabanza added.
Just last week, Alabanza said the presence of Chinese in the country's transmission grid poses no threat to national security.
Just last week, Alabanza said the presence of Chinese in the country's transmission grid poses no threat to national security.
She acknowledged that the chairman of the company is Chinese, but said he does not control its day-to-day operations.
She acknowledged that the chairman of the company is Chinese, but said he does not control its day-to-day operations.
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Alabanza said there are six Filipino members on the board, while there are four Chinese nationals.
Alabanza said there are six Filipino members on the board, while there are four Chinese nationals.
She reiterated that the NGCP conducted its business in accordance with the concession agreement and franchise granted by Congress.
She reiterated that the NGCP conducted its business in accordance with the concession agreement and franchise granted by Congress.
"We have faith that if we are given ample time and the opportunity to explain, then they will understand that everything we've done since we've taken over in 2009 is above board," Alabanza said when asked if she is confident the issues will not affect their franchise.
"We have faith that if we are given ample time and the opportunity to explain, then they will understand that everything we've done since we've taken over in 2009 is above board," Alabanza said when asked if she is confident the issues will not affect their franchise.
"And it is very mindful of the national security interest. And that's been considered not just by NGCP itself and the Filipino partners, but also by government when it did it out, as well as Congress when they granted the franchise," she added.
"And it is very mindful of the national security interest. And that's been considered not just by NGCP itself and the Filipino partners, but also by government when it did it out, as well as Congress when they granted the franchise," she added.
Aside from Sy, NGCP Vice Chairman and businessman Robert Coyiuto Jr., and other Chinese nationals on the NGCP board were also not present at the hearing.
Aside from Sy, NGCP Vice Chairman and businessman Robert Coyiuto Jr., and other Chinese nationals on the NGCP board were also not present at the hearing.
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House panel chairperson Rep. Gus Tambunting said Coyiuto submitted a medical certificate. Almeda said the other board members were in Beijing for Chinese New Year and an annual meeting held Wednesday.
House panel chairperson Rep. Gus Tambunting said Coyiuto submitted a medical certificate. Almeda said the other board members were in Beijing for Chinese New Year and an annual meeting held Wednesday.
Lawmakers said they hope Sy and other NGCP officials invited would be able to attend the next hearing to shed more light on the issue.
Lawmakers said they hope Sy and other NGCP officials invited would be able to attend the next hearing to shed more light on the issue.
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