TAGUIG CITY - The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (Power Bureau), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), yesterday (4 March) conducted the public consultation on the proposed DOE-DPWH Joint Circular (JC) No. 2 at the DOE Headquarters.
“We continue to frame our national development strategies from a multi-pronged perspective. Settling right-of-way issues will facilitate the implementation of infrastructure projects and the continuity of electricity services, while upholding the safety of our citizens,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.
JC No. 2 creates an Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) to ensure the immediate removal and relocation of obstructing electrical facilities that still exist along the national highways, as mandated by DOE-DPWH JC No. 1, entitled “Prescribing the Uniform Guidelines and Procedures for the Proper Payment of Compensation and/or Recovery of Cost in the Event of the Need to Relocate the Electric Cooperative Distribution/Sub-transmission Lines for the Primary Purpose of the Government”, promulgated on 10 July 2017.
The IATF will oversee the implementation of Section 13 of JC No. 1, which provides for the proper compensation of electric cooperatives (ECs) relative to their clearing or relocation of improperly located facilities in the right-of-way of the government within one year from the effectivity of the Joint Circular, which was published on 27 July 2017.
The improperly located facilities have raised concerns on public safety hazards, particularly to motorists. To date, several ECs have not been able to relocate these obstructing facilities, which is due to the implementation of road widening and improvement projects. The ECs requested for an extension period to ensure the continued delivery of electricity services to their member-consumers.
Under the new JC No. 2, all ECs are required to submit their respective relocation plans to DPWH regional offices by 30 April 2019 to qualify for the proper compensation. The new JC further provides that the relocation activities must be completed not later than 31 December 2019; and, in the case of non-compliant ECs, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) will undertake the relocation at the expense of the EC.
Among the issues raised during the public consultation included suggestions for the turnover of removed facilities no longer needed by DPWH to the ECs for their utilization, the determination of payment timelines, and other technical matters.
52 ECs were present with 31 ECs coming from Luzon (Central Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan I, Cagayan I and II, Isabela I and II, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province , Nueva Ecija I and Areas I and II of Nueva Ecija II, Pampanga I, Tarlac I, Zambales I, Batangas II, First Laguna, Quezon I, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Sur II and IV, Sorsogon II and Masbate).
There were eight ECs from the Visayas region (Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo I and II, Negros Occidental, Northern Negros, Bohol I, and Leyte) and 12 from Mindanao (Zamboanga del Sur II, Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon First and Second, Lanao del Norte, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato I and II, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Surigao del Norte).
“ECs remain one of our primary partners in this endeavor. That is why we want to ensure that they are afforded with the necessary assistance to complete these undertakings,” Sec. Cusi concluded.
DOE Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella, DOE Asst. Secretary Redentor Delola and Power Bureau Dir. Mario Marasigan assured the ECs of DOE’s continued presence in addressing their needs.
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