DOE Holds ‘Resiliency’ Workshop in Bicol

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The Department of Energy (DOE) conducted today (10 February) a workshop for electric cooperatives in the Bicol Region, which tackled the government’s comprehensive disaster and management protocol and system.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi envisioned the workshop as a policy research for the Department in updating its Disaster-Risk Response and Management Protocol, said Usec. Felix William B. Fuentebella.

Fuentebella oversees the Department of Energy’s power sector portfolio.

“We need an effective and standardized disaster-risk response and management protocol following our observations and experience from Typhoon Nina,” said Fuentebella, relaying Cusi’s message to the workshop participants.

The DOE official said the policy recommendation will be among the presentations of the Philippines in the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in August 2017 which the Philippines is hosting.

Cusi emphasized the need to strengthen mechanisms, especially the communication and coordination being done before, during and after disasters.

The Philippines is most vulnerable to typhoons since the country is visited by 20 tropical cyclones each year.

Fuentebella added that Cusi stressed that “safety precautions” must be undertaken during the rehabilitation of affected power facilities.

Resource speakers from the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) shared their own disaster-risk response and management protocols

Among those who participated in the workshop were representatives from the Albay Power Energy Corp. (APEC), Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative (CANORECO), Camarines Sur I, II, III and IV Electric Cooperatives (CASURECO I, II, III & IV), First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative (FICELCO), Sorsogon I and II Electric Cooperative (SORECO I & II), and the Ticao Island Electric Cooperative (TISELCO).

“The Secretary wanted the conduct of such workshops in response to the impacts of disasters, particularly typhoons, and to address the risks affecting the power system in the future, thus making the sector more resilient,” Fuentebella concluded.

Photo Caption: ENERGY DISASTER-READY: In line with the government's campaign to ensure LGUs are prepared for disasters, Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella under the direction of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi continues the series of forums on energy resiliency during emergency situations. The disaster protocol workshop was held Feb. 10 in Naga City.

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