Job termination of Chinese managers and experts in NGCP

THE Chinese government and state media have berated the termination of the working permits of 18 Chinese executives and technicians at the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). China’s state-owned national grid corporation owns 40% of NGCP, the “heart of the Philippine electric power industry,” in the words of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who has also said that a “national security” virus infects the NGCP because of its technical and management control by this group of “overstaying” Chinese experts.

The Manila Times reported on February 25 (“DOE ousts Chinese from NGCP”) that Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said at least 18 Chinese are expected to be out from the NGCP as they are “overstaying” and their stay will no longer be extended. But Petilla said two Chinese experts will be allowed to stay on the NGCP’s Board, but they will have no hand in the technical and managerial aspects of the national grid.