The Department of Energy (DOE) has acknowledged that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is not solely to blame for the delays in various transmission projects.

Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin explained that multiple factors have contributed to these delays, including pending approvals from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and rights-of-way issues involving landowners and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“There are still right-of-way issues, and there are cases pending ERC approval. It’s a culmination of everything, like in Panay, where there’s an issue with the owner and the DENR,” Garin stated during the hearing of the Committee on Legislative Franchises.

Lawmakers welcomed Garin’s statement, with Philreca Party-List Rep. Presley De Jesus emphasizing that it is unfair to place the entire blame on NGCP for the delays.

“To be clear, this is not solely NGCP’s fault. We’re not defending NGCP, but we’re trying to level the playing field. The prevailing narrative is that NGCP is responsible for all the delays,” De Jesus pointed out.

He also cited Garin’s earlier remarks, which confirmed that ERC issues and pending court cases are part of the problem.

De Jesus further stressed the importance of moving forward with transmission projects, highlighting their role in reducing electricity prices.

“Ano ba ang purpose natin, pababain ang presyo ng kuryente o we just blame one element of the energy family?” he asked.

In response to the delays, NGCP has committed to submitting a detailed explanation regarding the transmission projects in question.