HERMOSA, Bataan: President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. inaugurated here Friday the Mariveles – Hermosa – San Jose 500KV Transmission project of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines that he described as a milestone in our nation’s history while directing the Department of Energy and NGCP to complete the almost 70 other transmission projects in the country on time.
“It is with great pleasure to be here today not only because I am in the historic province of Bataan but because after almost four years, we are finally seeing the completion of this vital transmission line project,” the Chief Executive said.
“We celebrate today a milestone in our nation’s history with the inauguration of the Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose 500 kilo-Volt Transmission Line Project here in Bataan,” he furthered.
The development, Marcos said, involves more than 275 circuit kilometers of overhead lines supported by nearly almost 400 towers and two new substations and a total line transmission capacity
The President fondly addressed as PBBM (President Bong Bong Marcos) noted that this new transmission line will serve as a vital corridor for the current 5,000 MV and the additional 2,500 MW of committed power generation projects in Bataan and in Zambales.
“Once operational, it will certainly strengthen power transmission services not only in the region but all the way to Metro Manila. It ties well, as well, with other projects in Bataan such as the Battery Energy Storage System in Limay which we inaugurated last year and the Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge that we are now implementing,” PBBM said.
He thanked NGCP and various government agencies in overcoming the challenges that they encountered in this grand project.
“This transmission project attests to the transformative power of collaboration between the public and the private sectors to be able to attain a stable, reliable, and resilient power supply for the country,” Marcos said.
“It will also help in the administration’s thrust to transition to renewable energy to mitigate the impact of geopolitical uncertainties and of course, the effects of climate change,” he added.
PBBM directed the DOE and the NGCP to complete the almost 70 transmission projects on time as indicated in the country’s Transmission Development Plan, particularly the Batangas-Mindoro Interconnection Project and the Northern Luzon 230-kiloVolt Loop.
“And this way, we can meet our increasing energy demand, encourage technological advancements, and produce more employment opportunities for our people. I look forward to the impact that your endeavors will bring to our country, especially as we now make inroads towards unlocking the full development potential in the green and in the blue economies, which is suited to the Philippines,” he said.
Marcos said he was also excited on the way Bataan is being shaped up to be a literal and figurative powerhouse, as well as a center of economic and development activity in the future.
“So, I encourage everyone to embrace our shared responsibility of guaranteeing a dependable and adequate energy supply for all. I trust the public will strive to become stewards of our environment through conservation and smart consumption of energy,” he said.
“With our synergized efforts pushing our national development forward, we can build greener and more sustainable cities and achieve total electrification for the entire country,” Marcos concluded.
Redi Allan Renoroza, NGCP AVP & head, Transmission and Planning department said that the added capacity was more than enough for the requirement of Bataan.
“Nandito mismo sa Bataan ang supply so itong natapos na backbone more of maibigay din natin sa ibang parte ng Luzon, yung sobrang kapasidad na nandito sa Bataan. Sa Western Luzon 500kV backbone project kasama itong segment ng Hermosa-San Jose we will form a big 500kV loop, 500kV highway dito sa Central Luzon,” Renoroza said.
“Dahil ito ay isang transmission grid facility, of course magbebenefit dito ang rehiyon pero sa pangkabuuang Luzon ang benepisyo nito, so 59 million households ang beneficiaries nito. Kasi kumbaga highway kami so kapag maayos ang highway lahat ng maliliit na barangay routes and municipal routes magbebenefit sa kagandahan ng highway,” explained Cynthia Alabanza, NGCP AVP & head, Public Relations department.
“Bataan area is a power hub, marami talaga mga nagtatayo ng generation facilities dito so parang pinapalaki natin, pinapainam natin ang facilities leading through and going out from this area. Ibig sabihin, naihahatid namin ang kinakailangang kuryente ng Bicol, South Luzon, Metro Manila, lahat yan interconnected sa backbone natin o sa transmission system,” she added.
On the problem of right- of- way, she asked the assistance of everyone.
“Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng mga land owners pati na rin ang local government officials at ibang mga stakeholders o yung nakikinabang sa kuryente na sana suportahan nila ang NGCP dahil naiintindihan namin na perwisyo magkaroon ng tore sa inyong lugar pero ito ay makakatulong na maihatid ang kuryenteng kakailanganin para mailawan ang ating mga bahay at iba pang mga negosyo at industriya. So talaga kami ay umaasa at nakasalalay sa suporta ng publiko para maitawid namin ang aming mga proyekto,” Alabanza appealed.
The President was welcomed in Bataan by NGCP officials led by president and CEO Anthony Almeda, provincial officials headed by Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia 3rd, 2nd district Cong. Albert Garcia and 3rd district Congresswoman Maria Angela Garcia and municipal mayors led by Orion Mayor Tony Raymundo, president of the Bataan League of Municipalities. (30)
