DOE: There’s enough power supply on Election Day

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Energy (DOE) assured that the country has enough power supply for tomorrow’s midterm elections.

 “Since February this year, the DOE convened the Energy Task Force Election for uninterrupted and reliable power supply during elections,” said DOE Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi in a statement.

The DOE Command Center began its watch last Friday and starting yesterday, DOE will be conducting 24/7 monitoring operations to help ensure honest and orderly elections.

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. 

NEA, NGCP, Meralco, and the Philippine Electric Plant Owners Association (PEPOA) presented their respective strategies to help secure energy services for Halalan 2019.

NEA has previously advised electric cooperatives to undertake the appropriate preventive and corrective maintenance of the critical network and non-network assets from March 1 to April 30 2019; avoid scheduled power interruptions, except for emergency situations, from May 1, 2019 until the proclamation of winning candidates; and activate their Emergency Restoration Organizations starting 8 a.m. yesterday.

On the part of the NGCP, they ensured that there were no 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.

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,” the statement further stated.

Meanwhile, a day before the elections, Commission on Elections (Comelec) South District election officer Marchel Sarno said necessary supplies and materials are all set for the elections tomorrow.

He said the Vote-Counting Machines (VCMs), ballots, certified list of registered voters, precincts certified voters lists and others have been delivered already.

They have checked the VCMs last Friday and there are 70 reserved machines to replace damaged ones.

“At our end, we are 100% for the preparation. We are two days ahead before the holding of election, more on the monitoring nalang,” Sarno said.

Comelec has also coordinated with partner agencies and has trained the electoral board members.

They will also establish voters’ assistance desks to accommodate all voting-related concerns.

Sarno said they allotted enough time for the preparation just to ensure a successful and orderly holding of election.

On Election Day, Sarno urged the voters to bring their own list of candidates that they will vote for so that they could finish the voting process as early as possible.

He also reminded the public not to accept sample ballot from any politicians saying their decision must be according to their will.  — MBG (FREEMAN)