MABALACAT CITY -- The Department of Energy (DOE) formed a task force to ensure sufficient power supply during the conduct of the midterm elections today, Monday.
DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said the Election Power Task Force (EPTF) is ready with its contingency plans to ensure power supply in the country for successful automated elections.
"There will be stable power supply in the country for the election period," Petilla said.
The EPTF has already made an inventory of all the precincts in the country and the supply availability for each area.
"Standby plants" have been identified to ensure that power will not be interrupted during and after the elections, Petilla said.
The EPTF designated command centers within the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) compounds in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao: headquarters - Diliman, Quezon City; satellite centers: North Luzon - Poro Point, La Union; South Luzon- Biñan, Laguna; Visayas - Banilad, Cebu City; Mindanao - Iligan City.
The DOE is also in close coordination with all agencies such as the National Irrigation Authority, National Water Resources Board, and the Commission on Elections.
Power updates will be available to the public through the DOE's Twitter account (@DOE_PH) and the DOE website (www.doe.gov.ph), as well as in various social networking site accounts of the EPTF members.
For power concerns, you may also text or call the number 09175812925 or tweet @DOE_PH.
Petilla urged industrial complexes and shopping malls to reduce their demand or to run their own generator sets on Monday.
The EPTC Core Group includes the Department of Energy as head and the National Power Corporation, National Transmission Corporation, National Electrification Administration, Power Sector Assets & Liabilities Management Corporation, Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, and Manila Electric Company as members.
The Independent Power Producers Association, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Private Electric Power Operators Association Inc., and other associations of distribution utilities will serve as supporting members. (Reynaldo G. Navales)