1-B peso transmission project in Eastern Visayas to be completed by March 2011

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) gave a briefing on the Wright-Calbayog 138-kV Power Transmission Project this morning. Congressman Reynaldo Uy and Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento led local officials and sectoral representatives in the activity which was attended by no less than NGCP President and CEO Walter Brown.


The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has started pre-construction works on the 1.189 billion-peso Wright-Calbayog 138 kV Transmission Project in Eastern Visayas.

Scheduled for completion on March 2011, the project is expected to enhance the reliability and quality of electric power by extending the 138-kV backbone transmission system to the northern part of Samar Island.

Electric power in Northern Samar is presently transmitted through the 69-kV line supported by wood poles which are susceptible to tripping causing outages and frequent electric power service interruptions.

Aside from upgrading the line, NGCP will also expand Wright substation and install improvements on transformers as well as protection and communication equipment. A new substation will also be constructed in Calbayog City.

Upon the completion of the project, the power customers in Northern Samar and nearby localities would be the direct beneficiaries of the stronger transmission network.

Maintaining the stability, reliability and efficiency of transmission of power in the Visayas Grid remains as NGCP's priority. NGCP hopes that the project would jumpstart economic progress in the area which has been hampered through the years, primarily by the underdeveloped basic infrastructures including reliable electric power service.

This project is also implemented as part of NGCP's commitment to the technical provisions of the Philippine Grid Code.

The transmission line component of the project was awarded to Xian Electric of China on August 7, 2009 after an open public bidding. The substation component, on the other hand, was awarded to ABB Philippines on August 17, 2009 after a similar public bidding.

NGCP has already acquired the right-of-way (ROW) on 97% of the identified tower sites.

Since January 15 of this year, the privately-owned NGCP has been the official holder of the franchise to operate and maintain the country's power transmission grid, formerly the domain of the government-owned and controlled National Transmission Corporation (TransCo).

A soft opening for the Calbayog City Sports Center

The Calbayog City Sports Center had a soft opening today. A simple blessing was led by Fr. Erwin Rodriguez. Mayor Mel Sarmiento was on hand for the ceremony together with some City Officials and Department Managers.

The Center will be the venue of all the activities slated during Hadang 2009, the Culture and Arts Festival of Calbayog which the City Government spearheads during the City Fiesta.

Here are some pictures from today's activity:

Fr. Erwin Rodriguez saying the prayer of blessing.

Update on the Calbayog City Sports Center

We chanced upon Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento at the soon-to-be-finished Calbayog City Sports Center. He was on hand to do an ocular inspection of the work being done at the center. Today the workes were busy putting in place taraflex material on the floor. With the City Mayor were City Admininstrator Arnol Trani and some employees from the City Engineer's Office. The Calbayog City Sports Center is set to open on September 1, 2009 in time for the various events slated during the Hadang Festival 2009.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Engr. Arnol Trani.

update on the Calbayog Gymnasium

Work at the site of the Calbayog City Sports complex / Gymnasium is now going full blast. The gym which is located in Barangay Capoocan (near the Hall of Justice) is expected to be finished by September 2009.

A billboard along the national highway announcing some details about the project.

The gym as seen fom the national highway. In the foreground (right) is the Capoocan Main Health Center which was constructed by the U.S. Navy Seebies during last year's USNS Mercy ENCAP.

The road leading to the gym. On the right side is the Hall of Justice. On the left is the future home of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

work still ongoing

I went around the city today. There were no rallies condemning PGMA or celebrating EDSA 1. Instead I saw these heavy equipments lined up near the Rosales bridge. It turns out, asphalt overlay has been done on Senate President J. D. Avelino Avenue. Today they expect to continue working on the area from the Rosales bridge going to the rotonda in Obrero.

That's the Centennial Pastoral Center and the newly asphalted road. Pix below shows the same buidling with the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in the background.

Now for a twist (or something to make you smile). As I took the pictures shown above, a funeral hearse (pix below) conked out (read: tumirik). What if it happened during a funeral with a coffin and flowers on board? Most likely old folks would say: "na-awil pa gad man". Just like what they say during funerals done on a rainy day.

construction is goin on

Traffic at the rotonda (Obrero) area was re-routed again to give way to the construction being done by China State Development Corporation. It's part of the package aimed at rehabilitating the Maharlika Highway.