DOE: No power problems, potential problems on Election Day

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Saturday assured the public that there will be no power supply problems during Election Day on Monday, May 9, 2022.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, DOE-Electric Power Industry Management Bureau Director Mario Marasigan said the department has begun monitoring the power situation as early as May 2 to ensure a stable and reliable supply during the critical election period.

“So far wala tayong nakikitang mga problema o potensyal na problema pagdating sa serbisyo ng kuryente lalong na sa eleksyon,” Marasigan said.

(So far we are not seeing any problem or potential problem as far as power services, especially during the election, is concerned.)

The Energy official said the DOE has been coordinating with the grid operator, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), power generation companies, and distribution utilities to monitor the power situation for 24 hours since May 2.

He noted that on Friday, May 5, the country registered its largest power supply for the year at over 14,000 megawatts (MW) against a demand of around 11,500 MW.

At the Laging Handa briefing on Saturday, NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said the declaration of May 9 as a special non-working day would help reduce demand for electricity, ensuring a stable power supply during the polls.

“Dahil sarado ang mga opisina at industriya, malaki ang mababawas sa konsumo ng kuryente. Kaunti ang gagamit ng kuryente sa araw ng halalan,” Alabanza said.

(Since offices and industries are closed, the consumption of electricity will be reduced. Few will be using electricity on election day.)

Marasigan added that the DOE’s Energy Task Force on Election has a security group component, in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard, to secure the power facilities in areas identified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as potential danger zones.

In a separate news release, the DOE said the Energy Task Force Election convened on Friday for its final preparedness and coordination meeting at the agency's headquarters ahead of the national and local elections.

“The ETFE assures the public that there is sufficient energy supply for this crucial period,” the DOE said.

For his part, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the entire energy family has been continuously working to ensure uninterrupted energy supply before, during, and after the elections.

“We will protect the vote of the Filipino people," said Cusi, who is also the president of the ruling party PDP-Laban.

The ETFE was created by virtue of Department Circular No. 2018-05-0014 to support the conduct of free, honest, and fair elections by ensuring the 24/7 availability of adequate and reliable energy supply, according to the DOE.

Chaired by the DOE, its core group is comprised of the Comelec and the members of the Philippine energy family — the National Electrification Administration, National Power Corporation, National Transmission Corporation, Philippine National Oil Company, NGCP, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, and Meralco. —KG/VBL, GMA News