THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has officially assumed control of the Caticlan-Unidos 69kV transmission line, a move intended to stabilize a power supply long crippled by salt-air corrosion and recurring outages.
The takeover follows an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) directive reclassifying the line from a distribution asset of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco) to a national transmission facility.
The corrosion problemThe line has historically struggled with its proximity to the coast. NGCP officials noted that “water wave splash” and salt spray corrosion have physically degraded the infrastructure.
To provide an immediate fix, NGCP is constructing a bypass line further inland, away from the seashore, which is scheduled for energization this month.
“We fully recognize the challenges associated with the inherited asset, underscored by the brownouts experienced earlier this month,” NGCP said in a statement released by Mae Roselle L. Curiano, regional public relations officer.
The three-phase fix
NGCP is moving beyond temporary repairs by mobilizing technical and financial resources for a permanent solution:
Immediate Relief: Fixing current outages on the temporary bypass line near Caticlan Airport.Reconductoring (By March 2026): A full replacement of the transmission wires. NGCP has already secured the materials that Akelco previously lacked.
The 138kV Upgrade (By August 2026): The completion of the Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay 138kV Transmission Line project will create a “looping” system, providing an alternative route for electricity if one line fails.
“With the line now under NGCP, we are mobilizing our full technical and financial resources to implement immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions,” the company’s advisory reads.
The company added that its teams are working around the clock to ensure reliable power for the province.
A necessary transitionThe transition began in late 2024 after Akelco acknowledged it could no longer finance the necessary repairs.While a Certificate of Turnover was signed on Nov. 21, 2025, NGCP noted it still has reservations regarding some poles and right-of-way documents that must be resolved before a final Certificate of Acceptance is issued.
