Beckel folk slam NGCP for electric posts

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Beckel residents are seeking just compensation from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Over 500 residents are crying foul over NGCP electric poles set up since 1977.

Daisy Asprer said the poles in their property have been there since she was a child, despite their protest and request for compensation from the NGCP.

Now, NGCP wants to replace the electric poles with new ones; a move opposed by residents.

“Kapag hinayaan naming sila na palitan ang mga poles, hindi na nila kami kakausapin ulit,” she said.

A court case has ensued since, with a temporary restraining order filed by the NGCP to allow them to peacefully replace the electric posts.

The NGCP has presented witnesses certifying residents have blocked the entry of NGCP personnel.

There are over 14 posts scattered in the area servicing a minimum of 40 households.

But among the complaints of residents is the unfair treatment of NGCP to residents, as some were allegedly given free electricity and water for the setup of electric posts within their property.

The residents also claimed that NGCP has been using landowners property since the 70s, but there has been neither compensation nor formal talks with the community.

However, NGCP said that land rights and right of way were acquired through casement by the name of Bastian and Celebio Pitas, who allowed the installation of the posts when the power corporation was still the National Grid Corporation.

However, in a barangay meeting last July 7, it was stated that “residents have the right to claim land property owned by their ancestors. Moreover, people are entitled to claims since they have existed before the NPC who took advantage of the ignorance of the people and started to build the electric posts.”

Mayor Greg Abalos pledged to help the residents of the area, as he described the issue as long overdue.

He gathered residents in his office weeks ago to talk about the issue. He advised them to trust in the rule of law.

The NGCP is now led by Henry Sy Jr., elected in 2010 as the new president and chief executive officer of the country’s transmission highway.

Sy Jr. is the eldest son of shopping malls and banking magnet and SM founder Henry Sy Sr.

He is currently vice chairman and CEO of SM Development Corp. and vice chairman of SM Investments Corp. The SM group’s chain of malls is one of the largest consumers of power in the country. (Ma. Elena Catajan)