Energy Family on Full Alert as Amang Heads for the Visayas

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The Department of Energy (DOE) is leading energy resiliency preparations as Tropical Depression (TD) Amang heads toward the Samar and Leyte islands. The DOE called on the members of the Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) yesterday (21 January) for the close monitoring of TD Amang’s movements, the commencement of precautionary measures, the provision of updates on the status of energy facilities in the areas to be affected, and coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), residents within the Visayas and Bicol regions should anticipate moderate to heavy downpour as TD Amang is projected to move northwest at 10 kilometers per hour (km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center. Amang is expected to be within 75 kilometers west of Tacloban City at 8:00 A.M. tomorrow morning (22 January).

DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, “The entire energy family is maintaining round-the-clock communications, especially with NDRRMC, to ensure that our people are given fair warning and ample time to prepare and keep their families safe. We urge our kababayans to promptly heed safety warnings and cooperate with the Local Government Unit if there is a need to evacuate.”

On generation, the latest report of the National Power Corporation (NPC) indicates that all NPC dams are undergoing normal operations, as of 8:14 A.M. with no spilling operations under effect.

For transmission, Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative, Inc. was affected by a brief power outage reported within the Puerto-Lunocan 34.5kV Transmission Line at 4:57 A.M. today, but was swiftly restored by 5:08 A.M.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) likewise implemented necessary preparations and precautions to minimize the impact of TD Amang on its transmission operations and facilities, including the provision of reliable communications equipment, hardware materials and supplies for damage repairs, as well as the strategic positioning of line crews for immediate restoration work when needed. As of 1:00 P.M. today, they have reported normal operations for all NGCP transmission lines and facilities.

Meanwhile, the National Electrification Administration has advised electric cooperatives to take the appropriate contingency measures to mitigate the impact of potential threats that might affect electricity services and prepare for the possible activation of an Emergency Restoration Organization to immediately carry out power restoration plans.

“It is crucial for hospitals and key government structures to have continuous access to energy services in the face of disasters. The energy family will provide timely updates to our people,” Sec. Cusi concluded.

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