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DOE Holds ‘Resiliency’ Workshop in Bicol
ENERGY DISASTER-READY:
In line with the government’s campaign to ensure LGUs are prepared for disasters, Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella under the direction of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi continues the series of forums on energy resiliency during emergency situations. The disaster protocol workshop was held Feb. 10 in Naga City.
(Naga City). The Department of Energy (DOE) conducted today (10 February) a workshop for electric cooperatives in the Bicol Region, which tackled the government’s comprehensive disaster and management protocol and system.
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi envisioned the workshop as a policy research for the Department in updating its Disaster-Risk Response and Management Protocol, said Usec. Felix William B. Fuentebella.
Fuentebella oversees the Department of Energy’s power sector portfolio.
“We need an effective and standardized disaster-risk response and management protocol following our observations and experience from Typhoon Nina,” said Fuentebella, relaying Cusi’s message to the workshop participants.
The DOE official said the policy recommendation will be among the presentations of the Philippines in the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in August 2017 which the Philippines is hosting.
Cusi emphasized the need to strengthen mechanisms, especially the communication and coordination being done before, during and after disasters.
The Philippines is most vulnerable to typhoons since the country is visited by 20 tropical cyclones each year.
Fuentebella added that Cusi stressed that “safety precautions” must be undertaken during the rehabilitation of affected power facilities.
Resource speakers from the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) shared their own disaster-risk response and management protocols
Among those who participated in the workshop were representatives from the Albay Power Energy Corp. (APEC), Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative (CANORECO), Camarines Sur I, II, III and IV Electric Cooperatives (CASURECO I, II, III & IV), First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative (FICELCO), Sorsogon I and II Electric Cooperative (SORECO I & II), and the Ticao Island Electric Cooperative (TISELCO).
“The Secretary wanted the conduct of such workshops in response to the impacts of disasters, particularly typhoons, and to address the risks affecting the power system in the future, thus making the sector more resilient,” Fuentebella concluded.
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PALACE URGES PUBLIC COOPERATION, STARTS SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE TO SURIGAO QUAKE Malacañan on Saturday, February 11, assured prompt and substantive action from the government in response to the 6.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Surigao del Norte Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar stressed that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office has prepositioned family food packs to geographically hard-to-reach areas. “Concerned officials are now in Surigao City to conduct monitoring and damaged assessment. Rescue operations are ongoing with Quick Response Teams already mobilized,” Andanar said. For his part, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella urged the public to cooperate and to exercise caution. “Let us continue in the spirit of bayanihan… we’ll be looking out for one another,” Abella said. Abella also urged Surigaonons to avoid unsteady structures as there are still aftershocks following the major earthquake. As for the DPWH, Abella said President Duterte wants the DPWH to work as quickly as possible in clearing the debris for a faster delivery of relief goods to affected areas. Meanwhile, Abella said President Duterte is a listening President. He said the President continues to listen to his peace advisers on next step regarding the peace process. Abella said there seems to be a disconnect between communist leaders and those on the ground. He added that confidence-building measures should be undertaken by the communists to show their sincerity in continuing the peace talks. Meanwhile, Abella reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as other law enforcement agencies of their main purpose, which is to serve the country and not their own pockets.Abella also echoed the President’s call for law enforcers to live simply and turn their backs on the tendency to live beyond their means.Last week, wayward police officers from the National Capital region Police Office (NCRPO) who are facing different administrative complaints received a tongue lashing from President Duterte.The said policemen were ordered to prepare to be reassigned to Basilan. PND ### |
Cusi: DOE Overseeing Earthquake Power Rehab Efforts, Fuel Price Freeze(Surigao City- Feb. 12, 2017). In the light of the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that hit Surigao province on Friday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi today joined President Rodrigo Duterte and other cabinet members in extending the necessary assistance to all affected communities and individuals.
“We are looking into the extent of the damages caused by the earthquake. We are addressing the immediate needs and concerns of our people on energy,” said Secretary Cusi, who stressed “safety is the top priority.”
“We have to ensure an adequate, reliable and secure supply of energy and to execute fair pricing of petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),” added Cusi.
Cusi said his department is closely monitoring the power restoration efforts being conducted by the Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURNECO).
According to a National Electrification Administration’s report, 95% of SURNECO’s franchise area has been restored by 11:00 p.m. last night.
The effort has so far energized the primary lines of Surigao City and all the municipalities of the province while the remaining 5% is still being addressed by the electric cooperative.
SURNECO also reported the damage on its main office building, necessitating the transfer to their old building and covered court.
Earlier, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines reported that there is no earthquake-related damage or sustained fault on transmission facilities.
For the petroleum and oil products, the DOE has reiterated the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10623 which imposes a “price freeze” on certain LPG and kerosene products being sold in the areas affected by the calamity.
“With the declaration of a State of Calamity, government will impose a price freeze on basic energy commodities for 15 days, particularly for kerosene and household LPG,” said Cusi.
“In order to effectively ensure the supply of petroleum products, oil companies are obliged to update the DOE of the operational status of their depots and gasoline stations within the areas to stabilize the supply and reduce chances of individuals who are taking advantage of the oil situation,” he added.
“The DOE assures everyone that it will remain to be vigilant in protecting the interest of the public, ” Sec Cusi concluded.
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