Marcos leads Palaro opening in Marikina City

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

on Monday led the opening rites of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa at the Marikina Sports Center .

“I welcome everyone to the 2023 Palarong Pambansa. Congratulations in advance because as far as we are concerned, you are already winners,” the President said.

by sharing information, conducting threat assessments and improving the Philippines’ naval capabilities.

“The European Union underlines that the 2016 award of the arbitral tribunal on the South China Sea is legally binding,” von der Leyen said.

In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration junked China’s “ninedash line” claims to the South China Sea and upheld the Philippines’ rights to its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

Von der Leyen said the global geopolitical landscape is changing due to “authoritarian leaders” willing to use brash methods such as threats, citing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine that shakes the foundation of the international order.

“Security in Europe, and security in the Indo-Pacific is indivisible. Challenges to the rules-based order in our interconnected world affect all of us. Our societies pay through higher energy bills through higher food costs,” the EU leader said.

per liter for gasoline effective 6 a.m. today – the highest increase for diesel and kerosene since the start of the year. The highest increase for gasoline was on January 3 at P2.90 per liter.

The price adjustments effectively erased the net decrease for diesel, which now has a net increase of P3.10 per liter, and shaved the net decrease for kerosene to P0.10 per liter. Gasoline, on the other hand, has a net increase of P11 per liter.

Transport group Pasang Masda appealed to the government to extend aid to drivers in the form of fuel vouchers in lieu of a fare hike as well as to allow a P1 price surge during rush hours.

“These hefty price adjustments will result in a P150 daily income loss for drivers,” Martin said in a television interview yesterday.

Earlier, the so-called Magnificent 7 – composed of the biggest transport groups in the country – said it will meet to submit recommendations to the government amid the oil price hikes.

Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines president Melencio Vargas said one option is to provide discount lanes for pub - lic utility jeepneys in gasoline stations.

“The new oil price hike will be a big burden for us,” Vargas said.

This is the fourth consecutive week of increase for diesel and kerosene and the third for gasoline.

“Petron will implement the following price increases effective 6 a.m. on Aug 1: P2.10 per liter for gasoline; P3.50 per

Despite the non-stop monsoon rains, President Marcos, accompanied by Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara DuterteCarpio, welcomed young athletes across the country for the annual multi-sports event.

“As you take part in your chosen sport, remember you are already champions. And now you represent your respective schools and localities. Compete with excellence, fairness, and integrity,” Mr. Marcos said in his speech.

He urged DepEd units to continue harnessing the talents and sportsmanship of the young athletes for their future.

“With consistent and diligent efforts, I am confident that they will eventually bring glory to our nation, not only in the field of sports but also in other endeavors that they will choose to pursue,” the President said.

Mr. Marcos described the Philippines and the European Union as “like-minded partners” with “shared values of democracy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, the rule of law, peace and stability, and human rights.”

The Philippines enjoys a Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status that allows it to export 6,274 products to the European Union tax-free, but this is set to expire at the end of this year.

Under the GSP+ scheme, which is extended to developing countries, Brussels cuts its import duties to zero on two-thirds of product categories in return for implementing 27 international conventions on human rights, labor rights, the environment and good governance.

Rights monitors and some EU members of parliament have urged the European Union to withhold a deal extension for the Philippines because of Duterte’s anti-narcotics crackdown that claimed thousands of lives. With AFP company of the LRT-1, said there will be a new minimum fare of P14 and a maximum fare of P35 for stored value cards (SVCs) while single journey tickets (SJTs) will range from P15 to P35. This is up from the current minimum fare of P12 and maximum fare of P30 for SVCs and for SJTs ranging from P15 to P30.

“Based on the decision of DOTr’s Rail Regulatory Unit (RRU), the liter for diesel and P3.25 per liter for kerosene. These reflect movements in the international oil market,” Petron Corp. said in its advisory.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines and Caltex Philippines also announced the latest oil price hike while others are expected to follow suit.

Mr. Marcos ordered the local government units to encourage school participation in sports competitions and “motivate” students to engage in physical activities.

PBBM...

From A1 through the private sector. of which were food packs distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The Department of Agriculture (DA) also said it has given a total 111,873 bags of rice seeds, 14,426 bags of corn seeds and 2,582 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds to Egay-affected farmers.

A quick response fund of P500 million has also been prepared for the rehabilitation of farms damaged by the typhoon, the DA added.

At least P5.198 billion of roads and bridges were destroyed by Typhoon Egay in Luzon province, the Department of Public Works and Highways said Monday.

In a statement, the DPWH said it has intensified numerous clearing operations of major roads in Luzon province, and is actively working on the immediate reopening of 17 roads rendered impassable due to combined effects of southwest monsoon and Egay.

The Bureau of Maintenance of the department said at least 43 roads have been cleared and reopened, despite incessant rainfall especially in parts of Central Luzon.

LRT-1 boarding fare will become P13.29 with a distance fare of P1.21 per kilometer, coming from the current boarding fare of P11 and distance fare of P1 per kilometer,” the LRMC said in a statement Monday.

It noted that due process has been followed in the fare increase, including the requirement to publish the approved fare adjustments for three consecutive weeks.

“Thirty days after the last publication date will be the collection date of the new fares; hence the effectivity date of August 2 for the new fares. A public consultation was also held on 17 Febru- ary 2023 which was attended by various stakeholders,” it said.

The DA said Typhoon Egay caused P1.54 billion worth of damage to agriculture as of July 30.

Reports from DA regional field offices (RFOs) in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, and Caraga, said the storm damage affected the livelihood of 99,272 farmers and fishers.

Production loss due to the super typhoon totaled 66,075 metric tons from 110,086 hectares of affected agricultural areas.

Agricultural commodities that were damaged were rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries.

The damage is expected to go higher as more reports come in, officials said.

In Region 3 (Central Luzon), a total of 341,242 families or 1,195,866 people were affected by the continuous rains brought by Typhoon Egay and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council-3 (RDRRMC-3) on Monday said a total of 8,862 families or 32,404 individuals were still staying in various evacuation centers in the region.

Some 18 houses were destroyed while 334 were damaged.

On the other hand, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced the LRT-2’s fare increase on Facebook.

SVCs will soon have a minimum fare of P14 and a maximum of P33 from the previous PHP12 and PHP28 respectively.

Meanwhile, the minimum fare for SJTs will remain at P15 while the maximum fare will increase to P35 from the current P30.

The fare increase for the LRT-2 is also based on the fare adjustment approved by the RRU for the LRT-1.

A total of 13 roads in the region, of which eight are in Pampanga, three are in Bulacan and one each in Zambales and Tarlac, are still not passable to light vehicles due to flooding.

Also, a total of 438 areas in the region were flooded due to moderate to heavy rains in the past days.

The estimated damage in agricultural areas and fisheries and aquatic resources in the region was initially pegged at P454 million and P141.59 million, respectively, for a total of over P596 million.

Ten local government units (LGUs) in the region have so far declared a state of calamity due to the extent of damage caused by Typhoon Egay and the southwest monsoon.

These are the province of Bataan, five municipalities in Pampanga – San Simon, Macabebe, San Luis, Minalin and Sto. Tomas and the towns of Pulilan, Calumpit, Hagonoy and Paombong in the province of Bulacan.

A total of over P31 million worth of assistance was provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and LGUs to the affected individuals and families.

Due to massive floods caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) rains, some LGUs in the region canceled work and classes on Monday.

Owing to the Rice Tariffication Law, the government itself through the National Food Authority can no longer import rice, leaving the privilege solely to private importers.

But after typhoon “Egay” flattened P1.54 billion worth of crops across thousands of hectares of farmland planted to mostly rice and corn, the DA must explore other means to bolster the country’s current rice buffer stock of just 1.54 days -- far below the required 9 days.

Several rice stakeholders are already predicting that the price of rice will increase by as much as P4 per kilo, as the grain’s price is also high at present in the world market.

As the government inventory is nearly depleted while the majority of farmlands are still submerged, Mr. Marcos called for a meeting today to discuss the prospects of importing rice.

Leptospirosis,...

From A1

Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever and chills, red eyes, vomiting, jaundice and head and muscle aches.

The DOH likewise recorded a 16 percent hike in dengue cases with around 9,486 new cases logged in the last three to four weeks, with all regions -- except Region II, BARMM, and CARAGA -showing a spike in cases,

A total of 80,318 dengue cases were reported across the country as of July 15, with at least 299 fatalities.

The DOH said dengue cases may still increase due to late reports.

It describes dengue as the fastestspreading vector-borne disease in the world that is endemic in 100 countries.

The disease has no cure but can be managed if detected early.

The public is encouraged to beat dengue through the 4S strategy: search and destroy, seek early consultation; selfprotection measures; and say yes to fogging during outbreaks, the DOH said.

“Seeking cover from the rain may endanger the riders from being hit by other vehicles and also cause traffic congestion,” he said.

The MMDA made the decision following a recent meeting with representatives of motorcycle ride-hailing firms -- Grab, Angkas, Joyride, Toktok, Transportify, Maxim Riders Food Delivery, and Move It -- at the agency’s main office in Pasig City.

During the meeting, Artes asked the firms to support projects and measures for riders to promote road safety, and appealed to them to discipline partner-riders who violate traffic rules and regulations on the road, particularly those blocking traffic during heavy rains.

“We urge motorcycle ride hailing firms to impose administrative sanctions on their partner motorcycle riders who violate traffic rules,” the MMDA chief said.

In response, representatives from Grab and Joyride said they will remind their drivers to strictly follow rules and regulations, the MMDA said.

“When we say no learning disruption, it does not mean that we will put our learners through online classes. DepEd Order No. 37 already says that when inperson classes are suspended, so are online classes,” Poa said in an interview.

“That [shifting to alternative methods, including online] is with the assumption that the learner feels well enough to go on with studying. But of course if they are in a situation in which they are incapable, then we will understand. They will of course be excused from activities,” the DepEd official added.

ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said DepEd’s statement that alternative learning, which may include modular and online classes, shall be implemented during typhoons and other calamities is “unjust and inhumane.”

“This is also insensitive to the actual situation of our general public during calamities,” Quetua said in a statement over the weekend.

Quetua also underscored the need to prioritize the welfare and safety of teachers and students during times of calamity.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pasig City x-----------------------------------------------------x

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLIARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND UNIVERSAL POWER SOLUTIONS, INC. (CONCEPCION BESS), WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ERC CASE NO. 2023-091 RC NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND UNIVERSAL POWER SOLUTIONS, INC., Applicants.

Notice Of Virtual Hearing

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

Notice is hereby given that on 05 July 2023, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and Universal Power Solutions Inc. (UPSI) filed an Application dated 16 May 2023, seeking the Commission’s approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA) for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Power Plant-Concepcion, Tarlac, with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

The pertinent allegations of the Application are hereunder quoted as follows: NATURE OF THE CASE

1. This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (“ASPA” or “Agreement”) dated 02 May 2023,1 entered into by the NGCP and UPSI, pursuant to Department of Energy (DOE) Department Circular No. DC 2021-10-0031 (the “AS-CSP Circular”) prescribing the conduct of Ancillary Services Competitive Selection Process (AS-CSP); in relation to the Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) promulgated by the Energy Regulatory Commission in its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC. THE PARTIES

2. Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It holds a congressional franchise granted under Republic Act No. 9511,2 and is authorized to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high-voltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The NGCP is authorized to conduct activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

3. Applicant UPSI is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal place of business at 5th Floor, #100 Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, C5 Road Bo. Ugong, Pasig City, 1604 Metro Manila, Philippines.

4. UPSI is the owner and operator of a power plant composed of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), with a rated capacity of 50 MW continuous output at 60Hz, including required ancillaries and spare parts, located in Concepcion, Tarlac (the “Generation Facility”), which was certified and accredited by the NGCP as capable of providing Contingency Reserve (CR).

5. NGCP and UPSI may be served with orders, notices, pleadings and other legal processes through their respective counsels at the addresses indicated below.

ANTECEDENT FACTS

6. Republic Act No. 9136, also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (“EPIRA”), provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (“PGC”),3 adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services (“AS” or “Ancillary Services”)4 through the transmission system.5

7. Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid AS and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and AS tariffs of the ERC.6

8. Ancillary Services is defined in Section 4 (b) of the EPIRA as referring “to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act.” These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

9. In order to implement and regulate the procurement of AS, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (“ASPP”) through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002-253 and the Ancillary Services-Cost Recovery Mechanism (“AS-CRM”) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC.

10. The NGCP certified that the units of the Generation Facility have met and complied with the Standard Ancillary Services Technical Requirements of the ASPP as capable of providing Contingency Reserve. A copy of NGCP Accreditation Certificate No. 2023-L011 in favor of UPSI, and valid from 20 March 2023 to 19 March 2025 is attached to this Application.7 Competitive Selection Process

11. On 04 October 2021, the DOE issued the AS-CSP Circular providing the policy for the conduct of the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) for the procurement of Ancillary Services by the System Operator (NGCP). Among the policies set by the AS-CSP Circular was the creation of an independent Third-Party Bids and Awards Committee (TPBAC) to spearhead and manage the CSP.

12. In its Letter dated 22 November 2022,8 the DOE approved the Terms of Reference (TOR)9 and Instruction to Bidders10, and instructed NGCP to proceed with the publication and posting of the same pursuant to Sec. 7.4 and 7.5 of the AS-CSP Circular.

13. On 26 January 2023, the TPBAC approved its Notice of Invitation to Bid11 informing the public of the pending AS-CSP for Regulating Reserve (RR), Contingency Reserve (CR), Dispatchable Reserve (DR), Reactive Power Support (RPS), and Black Start Service (BSS); and inviting all interested grid-connected merchant plants and Independent Power Producers to apply for eligibility and participate in the competitive bidding for the procurement of AS. The Notice of Invitation to Bid likewise provided any interested grid-connected merchant plants a copy of the DOE approved TOR and Instruction to Bidders.

14. Subsequently, the Notice of Invitation to Bid was published on 31 January 2023 with the Malaya Business Insight12 and the Philippine

The same Notice was also published on 07 February 2023 with the Business Mirror14 and the Manila Bulletin.15

UPSI was declared by the and submit its bid for the provision

16. Under Bid Bulletin 2023-02 issued by the TPBAC, eligible bidders may submit their bids on or before 13 March 2023.

17. Thereafter, pursuant to Bid Bulletin 2023-02, the TPBAC conducted the opening of bids timely submitted by all the eligible bidders whereby UPSI’s bid/offer16 for the provision of CR by its Generation Facility was considered for award after sufficiently complying with the post-qualification requirements.

18. On 12 April 2023, the TPBAC issued and submitted to the NGCP’s Board of Directors its Resolution and Evaluation Report on the conduct of the CSP17 indicating UPSI as one of the winning bidders. The TPBAC’s Evaluation Report was thereafter confirmed by the NGCP’s Board of Directors through a resolution dated 18 April 2023.18

19. On 18 April 2023, the TPBAC issued a Notice of Award in favor of UPSI19 informing the latter that it is to be awarded with a contract for the Provision of Ancillary Services in the Luzon Grid. The details of the award are as of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Honorable Commission may, upon request of a party and determination of existence of conditions that would warrant such remedy, treat certain information submitted to it as confidential.

30. The Computation of True Cost of Generation and the Summary of computed Consumer Price Index for Variable Operation and Maintenance (VOM) Cost, attached to this Application as Annex “X” and Annex “Y”, contain commercially valuable and sensitive information and data that reflect UPSI’s investments, business operations, calculations, and other trade secrets.

31. UPSI thus respectfully moves that these documents are not disclosed and treated as confidential documents in accordance with Section 1, Rule 4 of the Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. Accordingly, UPSI submits one (1) copy of said documents in a sealed envelope, with the envelope and each page of the document stamped with the word “Confidential”.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

32. It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power.21 To this end, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system security and reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS. However, the Honorable Commission must first approve the ASPA before the same can be implemented.

33. As the demand for power in Luzon increases, the requirements of the system likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth.

34. Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the present reliability and security of the Grid. In support of these allegations. NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Ms. Lisaflor B. Kater,22 which is attached to this Application.

PRAYER

WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission:

1. Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA executed on 02 May 2023; and

2. APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the subject ASPA.

3. ISSUE an Order treating the Computation of True Cost of Generation23 and the Summary of computed Consumer Price Index for Variable Operation and Maintenance (VOM) Cost24 as confidential information pursuant to Section 1, Rule 4 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure and prescribing the guidelines for the protection thereof. Other just and equitable reliefs are likewise prayed for.

The Commission hereby sets the instant Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-Trial Conference and presentation of evidence on the following dates and online platform for the conduct thereof, pursuant to Resolution No. 09, Series of 202025 and Resolution No. 01, Series of 202126 (ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure):

Date and Time Platform Activity 15 August 2023 (Tuesday) at two thirty in the afternoon (2:30 P.M.) Microsoft Teams or Zoom Application

22 August 2023 (Tuesday) at two thirty in the afternoon (2:30 P.M.)

Determination of compliance with jurisdictional requirements and Expository presentation

Pre-trial Conference and presentation of evidence

Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least one (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled virtual hearing, via electronic mail (e-mail) at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph. The Commission shall give priority to the stakeholders who have duly submitted their respective comments and/or clarifications, to discuss the same and propound questions during the course of the expository presentation.

Moreover, any person who has an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission via e-mail at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnishing the Legal Service through legal(5)erc. ph, a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the initial virtual hearing. The verified Petition to Intervene must follow the requirements under Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicate therein the docket number and title of the case, and state the following:

1) The petitioner’s name, mailing address, and e-mail address;

2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3) A statement of the relief desired.

Likewise, all other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file through e-mail at docket@erc.ph, and copy furnish the Legal Service through legal @erc.ph, their Opposition or Comment at least five (5) calendar days prior to the initial virtual hearing. Rule 9 of the ERC Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure shall govern. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:

1) The name, mailing address, and e-mail address of such person;

2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and all related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Luzon Grid.

3) The grounds relied upon.

26 As provided under Section 2.1 of the ASPA, the same shall become effective upon the approval by the ERC, either through a Provisional Authority (PA), or Interim Relief (IR), or final Decision, whichever comes first, unless if a different effective date is provided by the ERC in its Order or Decision, and shall remain effective for a period of five (5) years, subject to Section

(Termination) of the ASPA.

27. UPSI, as a generation company, falls within the ambit of Section 6 of the EPIRA. Attached are copies of relevant documents proving UPSI’s due registration as a generation company, relevant permits to operate the Generation Facility and audited financial statements, as well as other documents required by the Honorable

All interested parties filing their Petition to Intervene, Opposition or Comment are required to submit the hard copies thereof through personal service, registered mail, or ordinary mail/private courier, within five (5) working days from the date that the same were electronically submitted, as reflected in the acknowledgment receipt e-mail sent by the Commission.

Any of the persons mentioned in the preceding paragraphs may access the copy of the Application on the Commission’s official website at www.erc. gov.ph.

(This space is intentionally left blank.)

Finally, all interested persons may be allowed to join the scheduled initial virtual hearings by providing the Commission, through legal.virtualhearings(5)erc.ph, their respective e-mail addresses and indicating therein the case number of the instant Application. The Commission will send the access link/s to the aforementioned hearing platform within five (5) working days prior to the scheduled hearings.

28. While UPSI is a co-applicant, it manifests that the instant Application shall neither modify, diminish nor constitute a waiver of its rights nor expand its obligations and responsibilities as a generation company under the EPIRA.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR CONFIDENTIALTREATMENTOFINFORMATION

29. Under Rule 4 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Honorable Commission may, upon request of a party and determination of existence of conditions that would warrant such remedy, treat certain information submitted to it as confidential.

30. The Computation of True Cost of Generation and the Summary of computed Consumer Price Index for Variable Operation and Maintenance (VOM) Cost, attached to this Application as Annex “X” and Annex “Y”, contain commercially valuable and sensitive information and data that reflect UPSI’s investments, business operations, calculations, and other trade secrets.

31. UPSI thus respectfully moves that these documents are not disclosed and treated as confidential documents in accordance with Section 1, Rule 4 of the Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. Accordingly, UPSI submits one (1) copy of said documents in a sealed envelope, with the envelope and each page of the document stamped with the word “Confidential”. ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONALAUTHORITY

32. It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power21 To this end, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system security and reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS. However, the Honorable Commission must first approve the ASPA before the same can be implemented.

33. As the demand for power in Luzon increases, the requirements of the system likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth.

34. Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the present reliability and security of the Grid. In support of these allegations. NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Ms. Lisaflor B. Kater,22 which is attached to this Application.