Gov. Gwen Garcia has once again facilitated the settlement of another crucial transaction that is expected to stabilize the delivery of power from mainland Cebu to Mactan Island.
In a meeting at the Capitol on March 25, Gov. Garcia asked National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) officials, led by construction projects regional manager Arnold Claudio, to just relocate their submarine cables from Brgy. Omapad in Mandaue City to avoid the present complications that would render their work impossible.
The governor said it was Energy Sec. Raphael Lotilla who earlier informed her that the NGCP was having problems in their Cebu–Lapu-Lapu 230-Kilovolt Transmission Project, which has been stalled for years already, because it involves a point in Mandaue that is greenlighted for reclamation.
The Philippine Reclamation Authority has already awarded “Notice to Proceed” to the reclamation project in Brgy. Omapad, which is also the exact location of NGCP’s submarine cable lines that would cross to Brgy. Pusok in Lapu-Lapu City.
The cable lines are expected to carry much-needed power for Mactan Island’s Lapu-Lapu City and the Municipality of Cordova.
NGCP President Anthony Almeda, talking to Gov. Garcia over the phone during the meeting, agreed with the governor’s proposed solution and committed that they would relocate their submarine cables to a point that will be recommended by Mandaue City.
NGCP is expected to submit a letter of undertaking to Mandaue City, ensuring that they will comply with the city government’s proposed relocation of their submarine cables.
Also present during the meeting were Ernie Manatad (executive assistant to Mayor Jonas Cortes), Mandaue City Architect Marlo Ocleasa, as well as DPWH 7 Lawyer Brando Ray Raya. | Babie Jane Revecoy