DOE, NGCP ready measures for ‘Samuel’

THE Department of Energy (DOE) and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) have put measures in place following a possible onslaught of Tropical Depression Samuel in the Visayas, including Negros Occidental.

DOE-Visayas officer-in-charge Jose Rey Maleza Tuesday, November 20, said the agency’s Power Energy Resiliency Task Force was already activated since Monday, November 19.

The DOE, he said, is monitoring the movement of the typhoon as it prepares for the possible effects, especially in the power lines.

“We are now on alert status especially the concerned staff and personnel,” Maleza said, adding that in case there will be power interruptions brought by damaged structures, “we already have a contingency plan.”

Part of the DOE measures is closely coordinating with electric cooperatives in the Visayas, including those in Negros Occidental.

After Super Typhoon Yolanda, DOE-Visayas said it already has preparatory and contingency measures.

“Even though it is just a tropical depression, we still need to be ready,” Maleza said, stressing that “we have to be more prepared.”

As of Tuesday night, Negros Occidental was still under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) No. 1. Most portions of the province have experienced intermittent rains.

The state weather bureau said the 19th storm this year will bring moderate to heavy rains that may trigger floods and landslides in some parts of the country including the Visayas.

NGCP, for its part, said it has implemented necessary preparations and precautions to minimize the impact of ‘Samuel’ on transmission operations and facilities.

The transmission utility, in a statement Tuesday, November 20, said preparations included ensuring the reliability of communications equipment and availability of hardware materials and supplies necessary for the repair of damages to facilities.

NGCP said it has positioned its line crews in strategic areas to facilitate immediate restoration work.

These procedures are provided under the company’s Integrated Disaster Action aimed at ensuring the readiness of all power transmission facilities to be possibly affected by the weather disturbance.