ROW causes ‘power row’, hampers restoration efforts

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The issue on the road right of way (ROW) in southern Negros Occidental has hampered the power restoration and rebuilding efforts of the government in areas affected by super typhoon “Odette.”

Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said there is tension particularly in Ilog town because of the ROW issue.

He explained to reporters Wednesday that some landowners will not allow the crew of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to enter their property to repair damaged towers.

Diaz said maybe it’s because of unsettled payments, especially on the road right of way to the towers.

He appealed to landowners to set aside the issue first as what is paramount now is the restoration of power supply that is vital to restoring communication lines as well.

He said NGCP suffered the worst damage to transmission lines in Ilog town.

“It is also where the tension is between NGCP and our landowners.” Diaz said.

Diaz also confirmed that there is no power supply yet in Sipalay City.

He also said that the provincial government has set up a command center for relief operations in Kabankalan City for southern Negros.