DoE assures public of ample power, fuel supply

The Department of Energy (DoE) has assured the public of unimpeded supply of electricity and fuel across the country.

The DoE has directed its Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) and the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB) to ensure unimpeded delivery of energy services in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjacent provinces.

Likewise, Cusi designated DoE’s Task Force Energy Resiliency (TFER) Chairperson, Undersecretary Alexander Lopez, as the department’s office-in-charge and alternate representative for the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“We at the DoE will ensure continuous energy service not only in areas under GCQ [general community quarantine], but throughout the Philippines. We will ensure there is an adequate supply of electricity and fuel to aid in the economic recovery amid the challenges brought about by Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019),” said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in a statement in Filipino.

The government placed NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under GCQ from March 22 to April 4 amid the continued surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

Only essential travel in and out of the GCQ areas will be allowed, and that the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will be maintained during the two-week lockdown period.

Cusi’s directive to OIMB and EPIMB was outlined in a memorandum issued last March 23.

Earlier, the Energy chief directed generation companies and other industry stakeholders to ensure reliable and stable electric power during the government’s vaccine rollout.