THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have formalized a partnership aimed at safeguarding the country’s submarine power transmission infrastructure, a move officials said would strengthen the reliability of the national grid and improve emergency response capabilities at sea.
The deal was sealed through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed this week at the PCG National Headquarters by NGCP President and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Almeda, and PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, together with other senior officials from both organizations.
The partnership focuses on enhancing the protection of NGCP’s submarine cable systems and fiber optic network, which play a crucial role in transmitting electricity and communications across the archipelago.
Under the agreement, the PCG will provide support in securing NGCP’s maritime assets and will serve as a first responder during incidents or emergencies involving the company’s subsea infrastructure.
Almeda said the collaboration would enable both institutions to improve coordination during disasters and other emergencies while supporting broader efforts to promote maritime safety, environmental protection and national security.
He noted that the partnership would help ensure faster response times to incidents that could affect the country’s power transmission network and reinforce the reliability of electricity delivery nationwide.
“With this partnership, we aim to strengthen coordination so we can respond faster during emergencies and disasters, while continuing to uphold maritime safety, environmental protection and national security,” Almeda said.
The PCG described the agreement as a milestone in interagency cooperation, emphasizing the importance of protecting infrastructure that supports government operations, economic activity and public safety.
Gavan said the uninterrupted supply of electricity remains essential to national development and underscored the need to secure critical facilities that connect the country’s island grids.
“We recognize that without power, we cannot progress, exist or survive. This MOA reflects our shared commitment to protect the submarine cable systems and infrastructure that play a vital role in government operations, economic stability and public safety,” he said.
He added that closer information sharing and operational coordination under the agreement would bolster efforts to protect subsea transmission facilities from potential threats and disruptions.
NGCP operates thousands of kilometers of transmission lines and submarine cable systems that connect major islands and ensure the flow of electricity across the country’s power grid. The newly signed agreement is expected to strengthen the resilience of these assets amid growing security and disaster-related challenges.
