DOE Family Secures Power Services in Areas Hit by Usman

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“Generation and transmission facilities are generally back to normal,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi announced Friday (4 January) after the members of Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) inspected Typhoon Usman-hit areas on the same day.

“Our team worked 24/7 even on holidays just to ensure the safety and continual provision of our services to our kababayans who mostly needed energy and other assistance. Nais nating iparating na walang iwanan kahit anong kalamidad pa man ‘yan,” Sec. Cusi relayed.

Sec. Cusi said, “All generation facilities are secured except the diesel-fired power plant in Viga, Catanduanes.” According to the National Power Corporation –the operator of the said plant, flooding in the plant continues to subside and target plant restoration is on 7 January to normalize the power system in the island grid."

On the transmission system, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines reported that it has normalized all affected transmission assets since 31 December 2018.

"In the case of distribution facilities, the remaining households for re-energization account for a total of 8,258 households,” Sec. Cusi informed.

According to the National Electrification Administration (NEA) restoration report, out of the 41 distribution utilities affected, only five (5) electric cooperatives (ECs) covering 17 barangays and 1 sitio are left for restoration.

NEA Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong mentioned that once the places affected by the landslides and floods are readily accessible to the restoration teams, the normalization of the power systems of the remaining electric cooperatives can be completed in seven (7) days.

The energy chief also underlined that “price freeze” applies to household LPG and kerosene for 15 days upon the declaration of the state of calamity in an area. The price freeze declaration means no increase in prices of the affected goods.

DOE Undersecretary Alexander S. Lopez, Usec. Felix William B. Fuentebella, NEA Admin. Masongsong, NEA Deputy Administrator Artis Nikki Tortula, NEA Acting Dir. Eric Villar and Bicol Electric Cooperatives Association President Edwin Lamadrid checked the situation in Bicol region to assess what the other energy needs are in the calamity affected areas.

DOE Intensifies Call for an Energy-Efficient Lifestyle

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The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to promote the adoption of an energy-efficient lifestyle for all Filipinos.

During yesterday's (3 January) press conference, DOE Spokesperson and Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella again underscored the importance of making wise energy choices with the DOE's recent launch of its "Save Save Save" campaign for 2019.

“The Secretary and the DOE urges everyone to have a new outlook for energy efficiency, especially as we welcome 2019," he said.

The Energy Chief, through USec. Fuentebella, also emphasized the Department’s energy resolutions and reminded Filipino consumers to embrace an energy-efficient lifestyle.

Sec. Cusi reiterated six tips toward fuel efficiency:

1. Save fuel by driving at a steady speed. By reducing speed from120 to 80 kph, tests conducted with popular cars indicated a 25% improvement in fuel economy.

2. Save fuel by anticipating stops. Tests prove that vehicles driven at 60 kph can travel a distance of 650 meters with gradual halts do not consume additional fuel.

3. Save fuel by minimizing vehicle load. Transporting unnecessary weight in your car results in an additional 10% fuel consumption.

4. Save fuel by trying “Ang-cash Tipid” (Carpooling Program). Carpooling is an arrangement whereby several individuals travel together in a private vehicle. Carpoolers share the costs of gas and often take turns to drive to their common destination.

5. Save fuel by driving less. By taking public transport such as the MRT and LRT, you can help lessen traffic congestion and at the same time provide seamless journey for the travelling public.

“Let us continue to ‘Save Save Save’ by using our energy wisely. Maximizing our energy ability would enable us to become globally competitive and usher in a new wave of economic prosperity for the country,” Sec. Cusi concluded.

DOE Assures Fair Implementation of TRAIN Law

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As the implementation of the second tranche of the TRAIN Law for petroleum products took effect starting 1 January 2019, the Department of Energy (DOE) yesterday assured the public it has taken measures to prevent abuse and ensure fair and effective implementation of the taxation scheme.

“The Department of Energy is mandated to ensure that the pricing of oil products is carried out within the parameters of the TRAIN Law,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said in a statement.

He added, "Over the process of the implementation of the first tranche of the TRAIN Law, we have reached out to our stakeholders, especially the oil companies for their cooperation and we will continue our coordination with them throughout the second tranche."

He stressed that the DOE will be even more vigilant in monitoring the implementation of the second tranche of the TRAIN Law for petroleum products.

“We will ensure the fuel stocks for 2018 will be utilized first and sold at the pre-implementation prices,” Sec. Cusi said.

As a result of its stringent monitoring operation, the Department has already asked several gas stations to explain why they implemented fuel price hikes as early as 2 January 2019.

Under the second tranche of TRAIN Law's implementation, an additional excise tax of P2.00 will be imposed per liter of diesel and gasoline, and P1.00 per kilogram on Household LPG. There will also be an additional 12 percent value added tax, which totals to P2.24 for both diesel and gasoline, and P1.12 for LPG.

However, the DOE pointed out that the increase in pump prices of petroleum products resulting from the imposition of the second tranche of fuel excise tax will still be smaller. This is due to the offsetting effect of the rollbacks implemented in 2018 and January 2019.

While there is an uptick in the price of oil in the world market, Sec. Cusi pointed out that industry forecasts do not see crude oil prices hitting record high prices, such as in October 2018 when Brent crude oil price breached the $80 per barrel level.

“If the trend continues, we do not expect it to have as much impact on fuel prices as it did last year. Besides, we can cushion the effect of any new oil price increases by becoming more efficient in our use of energy,” he said.

Through its E-Power Mo movement, the DOE has been providing the public with tips for an energy-efficient lifestyle, particularly in the use of fuel and electricity.

"We might have to spend a little more, but that little sacrifice would translate to huge benefits for the country,” the energy chief emphasized.

“Let us remember that the revenues from TRAIN will fund important programs, such as free education, increase in the salaries of our public school teachers, as well as crucial infrastructures under the ‘Build, Build, Build program. All these would sustain our economic growth towards Ambisyon 2040 by providing more jobs and livelihood opportunities for our people,” Sec. Cusi concluded.