The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Friday said it has taken over the ownership, operations and maintenance of the Caticlan-Unidos 69kV line, which is near the Caticlan Airport, formerly managed by the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO).
This, after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in a Nov. 21, 2024 decision, reclassified the said line as a transmission facility from being a sub-transmission asset.
NGCP said this shift, “means, upon the completion of the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay 138kV Line, the existing 69kV line will also have a transmission function and will be transferred to NGCP”.
The said transmission has suffered from corrosion due to water wave splash and salt spray, which has resulted in power failures in its service areas.
A certificate of turnover for the takeover was signed on Nov. 21, 2025, but NGCP has yet to issue a certificate of acceptance due to reservations because of lines and poles for replacement, and a lack of right-of-way (ROW) documents, among others.
Prior to the management transition, NGCP said it had implemented corrective measures such as establishing a bypass line to temporarily fix the damaged transmission line, and is also expediting the completion of the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay 138kV Transmission Line project, aimed to be the new backbone line.
“We fully recognize the challenges associated with the condition of the inherited asset, underscored by the brownouts experienced earlier this month,” NGCP said.
“With the line now under NGCP, we are mobilizing our full technical and financial resources to implement immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions. Our teams are working around the clock to ensure reliable power for the province.”*PNA
