• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Department of Energy (DOE) Thursday assured the public of the availability of sufficient power supply across the country before, during, and after the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Measures are also in place to prevent any unscheduled power outages that may disrupt the voting, as well as the counting process, the DOE stressed in a statement, adding the Energy Task Force Election has been instructed early on to coordinate with the generating companies and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to ensure the availability of generating units to meet the demand and required reserves.
Suspension of preventive maintenance activities and testing of generating units one week before and after the BSKE will also be strictly enforced, the DOE said.
It added the Task Force has coordinated closely with the generation companies and the NGCP to facilitate the timely completion and seamless entry of power projects, as well as critical transmission line projects, should there be any.
The NGCP was also directed to utilize the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and the Mindanao Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) during peak hours to balance the power supply and demand system of the grid.
“Safeguarding the energy needs of the country during the critical electoral process is our foremost concern and we have enlisted the full cooperation of all our stakeholders in the generation, transmission and distribution sectors in this endeavor,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in a statement, adding that preparations have been undertaken to ensure enough supply of electricity in days leading up to, during, and in the immediate conduct of the elections.
The DOE Energy Task Force Election has also instructed distribution utilities (DUs) to deploy special and emergency line crews to check lines for any obstructions, and to ensure that all necessary and correct connections are installed within their franchise areas.
Any obstructions in the power distribution lines within their franchise areas could cause unstable flow of electricity in the polling places and canvassing centers, which include public schools and barangay centers, so as early as now, all DUs must trim trees and remove hazards that can obstruct power lines.
They also must secure enough generator sets and flashlights on standby, in case of unexpected power interruption.
On election day, Oct. 30, special and emergency line crews should be on standby with the necessary logistical support to immediately respond to emergency cases affecting power supply.
DUs were also directed to ensure that all substation facilities and distribution lines are in normal operations to prevent any disruptions in the energy supply, the DOE said. “It is very important to establish the adequacy of connection and service entrance facilities at polling places and canvassing centers to guarantee uninterrupted power supply.”
Meanwhile, the Central Negros Electric Cooperative reminded BSKE candidates that the placing of any political campaign materials, such as posters and tarpaulins, on electrical poles and kWh meters is strictly prohibited.
“Ceneco shall remove the campaign materials posted on its electric poles and meters to avoid obstruction in our emergency maintenance response and meter reading, and for public welfare,” it stressed in an advisory Wednesday. | CGC
