MANILA – The Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is willing to negotiate with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as two of its tower sites fall under the former’s Kang-Irag property in Cebu, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday.
The Cebu-Magdugo 230kV Transmission Line Project has faced delays following a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court stemming from a complaint filed by TIEZA, DOT's attached agency and infrastructure arm.
The DOT said TIEZA was compelled to avail of appropriate legal remedies after the NGCP filed an expropriation action against it.
“Energy is as vital a component of tourism as the development of infrastructure programs that positively impact the community and the local tourism industry of Cebu’s uplands,” it said in a statement on Friday.
“The Kang-Irag Property in Cebu is not just limited to the development of a golf course but has been considered for other types of tourism development such as nature-based, leisure, and agriculture/farm tourism that can provide livelihood and employment to many Cebuanos, considering the area is home to cut-flower, crop, and vegetable farmers,” it added.
Meanwhile, it reaffirmed its support for national infrastructure projects for energization that will support the economy as well as tourism, including the Cebu-Magdugo 230kV Transmission Line Project.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has instructed TIEZA to coordinate with the NGCP “so the best interest of the public may be served”. (PNA)
