Wazzup Pilipinas!
The Department of Energy (DOE) today led members of the energy family in assuring the public of the country’s energy security for Monday’s mid-term elections as the DOE Command Center commenced its operations earlier at 8:00 AM.
“Since February this year, the DOE convened the Energy Task Force Election for uninterrupted and reliable power supply during elections. We are prepared and while the DOE Command Center began its watch today, we will be conducting 24/7 monitoring operations starting tomorrow (11 May) to help ensure honest and orderly elections” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.
Headed by the DOE, the Energy Task Force Election (ETFE) has eight members, namely the National Electrification Administration (NEA), National Power Corporation (NPC), National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO), Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and the Manila Electric Company (Meralco). The task force is also closely working with the national security group comprised of the National Security Council, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The DOE conducted a total of four meetings for the ETFE since its activation to discuss member-agencies’ duties and responsibilities, as well as coordination and contingency plans for critical energy facilities.
ALL IN FOR D-DAY
During this afternoon’s press briefing at the DOE Media Center, NEA, NGCP, Meralco, and the Philippine Electric Plant Owners Association (PEPOA) presented their respective strategies to help secure energy services for Halalan 2019. Central to this is the conduct of 24/7 power situation monitoring activities to commence on 11 May 2019 until the DOE announces the termination of the ETFE.
NEA has previously advised electric cooperatives to undertake the appropriate preventive and corrective maintenance of the critical network and non-network assets from 1 March to 30 April 2019; avoid scheduled power interruptions, except for emergency situations, from 1 May 2019 until the proclamation of winning candidates; and activate their Emergency Restoration Organizations starting 8:00AM on 11 May 2019.
On the part of the NGCP, they ensured that there were to be no planned maintenance of power plants one week before and one week after elections. They have likewise taken measures to ensure the availability of transmission facilities, power voltage quality, and the readiness of the necessary restoration teams and equipment in the event of power disturbances.
Meanwhile, Meralco will be on “general alert” on the eve of the elections to facilitate the pre-positioning of response teams and other equipment. In addition, they have provided all polling precincts with information materials on relevant power tips (e.g. prohibiting “octopus connections” and overloading by not bringing and using unnecessary appliances inside polling centers).
Aboitiz Power, which handles power distribution in key areas such as Cebu, Davao, and Subic, as well as the PEPOA will likewise commence deployment activities on the eve of Election Day.
The DOE will continue to provide the public with regular updates on crucial energy situation developments for Halalan 2019.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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