NGCP, Napocor, ecologists ink watershed upkeep deal

Two of the country’s largest and crucial watershed reservations are assured of continuous and sustainable protection as NGCP partners with the state-owned National Power Corp. (Napocor) and local people organizations (POs) to assume stewardship of the sanctuaries. 

At the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) last March 15, the two energy companies and POs committed to renew and enhance 50 hectares of the Mak-Ban watershed and five hectares of the Angat watershed reservations through the planting of 88,750 tree seedlings.

The reforestation projects, directed at areas traversed by two critical transmission line projects: the Lumban EHV-Bay 230kV and San Jose-Angat 115kV transmission line project, will also be done in coordination with Mt. Malaraya-Malepunyo Watershed Protection Council and Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Inc.

“NGCP’s partnership with NPC and the POs signifies our thrust to not only provide reliable and adequate power transmission service but, at the same time, protect and enhance the environment in areas where we operate. The preservation of these critical areas is our priority as environmental stewards, not only in Norzagaray, Bulacan and Sto. Tomas, Batangas, but throughout the country,” NGCP said.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets.

The consortium, which holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country’s power transmission network, is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power Corporation led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr., and the State Grid Corp. of China (SGCC) as technical partner.