TransCo Admits Delays in Right-of-Way Cases

The National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) acknowledged delays in addressing right-of-way (ROW) cases, including issues that predate its existence and those tied to the operations of the National Power Corporation.

TransCo Vice President Dinna Dizon disclosed the backlog during a Legislative Franchise Committee hearing. Her statement came in response to questions from Philreca Party-list Representative Presley De Jesus, who noted a connection between the unresolved ROW cases and ongoing projects of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Right of way refers to the legal authority granted to a person or entity to use or pass through another’s property for a specific purpose.

Dizon explained that ROW cases were left for the government to resolve when the concession with NGCP was prepared and bids were initiated. She clarified that TransCo currently handles cases involving assets that were operational when the concession was transferred to NGCP.

“If there are no claims for TransCo to settle, we cannot cover the entire Philippines,” Dizon stated. “The lengthy process involves validating whether the property is part of the transmission project and determining its valuation for settlement.”

ROW issues have plagued NGCP’s projects for 15 years. Since assuming operations from TransCo in 2009, NGCP has faced challenges resolving ROW concerns nationwide, both for new projects and inherited transmission lines maintained under its concession agreement.

Philreca Representative De Jesus expressed frustration over the delays.

“If you, as a government entity, cannot address this in a timely manner, how much more can we expect from a private concessionaire like NGCP?” De Jesus remarked.

He also stressed the importance of addressing the root issues of high electricity costs.

“At the end of the day, whatever the outcome of this motu proprio investigation, if we cannot lower electricity prices, all our efforts will be in vain,” he added.