FILE PHOTO: A voting precinct at Pilot Elementary School in Buluan, Maguindanao where Governor Esmael Mangudadatu voted on May 14, 2013. (Photoville International)
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang allayed fears regarding possible worsening of power shortage in Mindanao caused by the bombing of 16 transmission towers in the region last year.
Another problem facing the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), are the “uncooperative land owners” who obstuct NGCP’S vegetation-clearing activities necessary for the restoration of transmission services.
According to Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma Jr., the Department of Energy (DOE) is aiming for an additional 600 megawatt-power capacity in Mindanao in the middle of the year.
Palace adds that the President is set inaugurate the 300 megawatt-baseload power plant in Davao del Sur on January 8, 2016.
Also based on a report by the DOE, they are continuously coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) for stricter security measures in the transmission towers and to resolve related issues.
Coloma also said that the government will try to exert all efforts to prevent power shortage problems that will compromise the upcoming elections.
“Kasama yan sa programa ng Department of Energy yung pagtitiyak na merong sapat at maaasahang supply ng kuryente lalong lalo na sa panahon ng eleksyon.”
(It is included in the program of the Department of Energy to ensure the enough supply and reliable electricity especially for the upcoming elections season.)
COMELEC already stated that they are already preparing for the worst-case scenario should the power shortage situation in Mindanao worsen on the day of the election.
According to the poll body, even without power supply the vote counting machines will continue and can last longer with its back up batteries apart from the stand by generator sets.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines explains that there is great chance that Mindanao will have enough supply of electricity in May.
NGCP is closely monitoring the situation of the transmission lines 24/7. (NEL MARIBOJOC / UNTV NEWS)
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