THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) on Friday announced that it is assuming ownership, operation and maintenance of the Caticlan-Unidos 69 kV Line, which was formerly managed by the Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco), near Catalan Airport. In a statement, the power transmission provider said this was a directive from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and allows the NGCP to “immediately implement corrective measures to improve the condition of the line and enhance power reliability in the province.” It also said they are currently addressing the recurring outages on the overhead bypass line built as a temporary fix to the damaged line, after investigations showed water wave splash and salt spray corrosion as the primary causes of recent line failures. “We fully recognize the challenges associated with the condition of the inherited asset, underscored by the brownouts experienced earlier this month.... With the line now under NGCP, we are mobilizing our full technical and financial resources to implement immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions. Our teams are working around the clock to ensure reliable power for the province,” the NGCP said. They also said that a full reconductoring of the affected transmission line will also be held, with completion by March next year.