(The Philippine Star) | Updated February 1, 2018 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines —
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the implementation of an energy resiliency
policy is critical in securing power supply, particularly in Albay province
which was directly affected by Mayon Volcano’s eruption.
In a coordination
meeting in Albay held over the weekend, the energy chief emphasized the
significance of implementing the recently issued energy resiliency policy in
which energy stakeholders are tasked to submit their compliance plan reflecting
the energy resiliency measures they opt to undertake.
“Your experience in
resiliency must be seen in this current situation with Mayon (Volcano),” Cusi
said.
The DOE has issued a
circular adopting energy resiliency in the planning and programming of the
energy sector to mitigate potential impacts of disasters.
A Resiliency Compliance
Plan (RCP) will be implemented to contain minimum adaptation measures, including
both structural and non-structural measure options, to gauge infrastructure and
human resource preparedness during and in the aftermath of disruptive events.
All industry players
are required to submit their respective RCPs within six months, which shall be
reviewed every three years. They should also include a budgetary requirement of
the
The circular also creates the Task Force on Energy Resiliency to oversee the
implementation of the policy.
The coordination
meeting was attended by the members of the generation, transmission and
distribution sectors, officials of the local government units of Albay headed
by Gov. Al Francis Bichara, Rep. Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe from Ako
Bicol party-list.
The generation sector –
represented by AP Renewables Inc., Philippine Geothermal Production Co. Inc.
and Energy Development Corp. (EDC)—said their geothermal plants remain the same
and that they are already implementing their resiliency plans that include the
protection of their employees.
AP Renewables and
Philippine Geothermal Production Co. own and operate Tiwi geothermal plant
while EDC runs the BacMan geothermal plants in Albay.
The National Grid Corp.
of the Philippines (NGCP), representing the transmission sector, said its
facilities are normal operations.
The NGCP is
particularly looking into the protection of its transmission facilities that
connects Luzon and the Visayas. It also conducted preventive maintenance
procedures that included the cleaning up of the lines in a manner that did not
result in any power interruption.
For the distribution
sector, the National Electrification Administration and Albay Electric
Cooperative Inc., with its concessionaire, Albay Power and Energy Corp., said
the distribution services are generally under normal conditions with the
exception of a few barangays in the danger zone.
They also stated that
they are closely coordinating with the NGCP in the distribution operations.
Additionally, due to
ash fall, Co raised the need to address the distribution poles that obstruct
the road expansion and rehabilitation projects of the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH).
Cusi said there is a
joint issuance signed by the DOE and DPWH, addressing the funding issue where
the infrastructure project covers the transfer of the distribution poles and
preventing another “pass on” item to consumers.
Meanwhile, the DOE has
signed a memorandum of understanding with the Girl Scouts of the Philippines
(GSP) to formalize an educational partnership on energy conservation as part of
its E-Power Mo EnerKids Program.
Under the partnership,
the DOE will conduct lectures on basic electricity concepts and energy
consumption of various appliances to batches of Girl Scouts nationwide. DOE’s
E-Power Mo Lecturers will also conduct hands-on experiments for Girl Scouts in
the provinces.
The DOE-GSP MOU intends
also to encourage girl scouts to pursue energy-related careers by stimulating
their interests and passion despite the challenges in gender stereotyping.
The MOU also provides
for the DOE and GSP to organize and conduct educational and training programs
geared towards encouraging young girls to take up courses on science,
technology and energy; implement other activities that would promote energy
conservation and formulate guidelines defining the specific activities, roles
and responsibilities of the DOE and the GSP in the implementation of the
E-Power Mo Programs.
