National Grid on heightened alert after Marawi unrest

NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said it is on “heightened alert” after the disturbances in Marawi City, which prompted the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

“We’re under heightened alert and are extra vigilant in safeguarding the facilities,” said Cynthia P. Alabanza, NGCP spokesperson, said in a news conference at the company’s head office in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Privately held- NGCP, which operates and maintains the country’s power transmission grid, will be issuing updates on the situation in the area that is affecting how it transmits electricity, she said.

“We monitored a disturbance in one of the facilities servicing Marawi City,” she said, adding that NGCP field personnel were unable to inspect that facilities in the area. “The situation there is a little tense,” she said.

She said that although Marawi City was able to draw power, there was a marked decrease it its consumption to five megawatts (MW) from 12 MW on regular days.

“The rest of Mindanao is under normal operations,” said Ms. Alabanza, who is also NGCP’s head of corporate communications and public affairs.

In a separate statement, NGCP said after the lock down and the declaration of Martial Law at around 11: 00 p. m. Tuesday, its operations and maintenance activities in Mindanao were normal as of 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

It said power from Agus 1 hydroelectric power plant to Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative feeder remained normal, except for the lower power drawn by Marawi City.

“There is a monitored tripping affecting Marawi City caused by a disturbance at our Mindanao State University load-end switching station. Transmission line personnel cannot mobilize to inspect and fix the affected facility due to the lock down in the area,” it said.

“So far, NGCP personnel are secure,” it said. “NGCP is preparing its contingency plans for the next 60 days.” —