Section 1December 1, 2008, Sec./Art. 1

Nature and Scope of Franchise. - Subject to the provisions of the Constitution and applicable laws, rules and regulations, and subject to the terms and conditions of the concession agreement and other documents executed with the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) and the Power Sector Assets & Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) pursuant to Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9136, which are not inconsistent herewith, there is hereby granted to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, hereunder referred to as the Grantee, its successors or assigns, a franchise to operate, manage and maintain, and in connection therewith, to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high voltage back-bone system of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, system operations, and other activities that are necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system and to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines, The Grantee shall continue to operate and maintain the subtransmission system which have not been disposed by TRANSCO.

Likewise, the Grantee is authorized to engage in construct, install, finance, improve, expand, rehabilitate and repair the nationwide transmission system and the grid of the Republic of the Philippines, ancillary business and any related business which maximizes utilization of its assets such as, but not limited to, telecommunications system, pursuant to Section 20 of Republic Act No. 9136. The scope of the franchise shall be nationwide in accordance with the Transmission Development Plan, subject to amendments or modifications of the said Plan, as may be approved by the Department of Energy of the Republic of the Philippines.