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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Step up, be transparent': Hontiveros tells DOE, NGCP amid widespread blackouts ​

'Step up, be transparent': Hontiveros tells DOE, NGCP amid widespread blackouts ​

Published May 10, 2023 09:23 am
  Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, May 10 called on energy officials to step up and proactively address the widespread power outages looming over the country, lamenting how the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) seems to be tarrying in putting an end to the energy crisis.   “Both of these agencies should step up and put an end to this energy crisis once and for all,” Hontiveros said in a statement.   “Expectation vs. Reality. The DOE and NGCP must be honest about the state of the country’s power supply and what millions of consumers can expect in the coming days and months,” she pointed out.   “They may promise that the situation will improve but it's still blackouts and high charges. Our consumers deserve to be informed and notified. Not be flabbergasted again,” she pointed out.   She added that both agencies should also provide a transparent power and rates outlook for the coming days and months following the unexpected power outages across Luzon and the Visayas due to the tripping of NGCP's Bolo-Masinloc transmission lines.    The glitch, she noted, not only affected the supply in Luzon, but also the exports to the Visayas, which had been running low on supplies since last week.   The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) had to implement manual load dropping, which caused power interruptions that lasted several minutes in many areas. Trading was also suspended at the WESM.   She further said the Senate appears to have been "taken for a ride" by energy officials, specifically Secretary Raphael Lotilla, who guaranteed that the country's electricity supply will remain adequate and stable for the year.   “Either the energy officials or the entire power system itself, is suffering from integrity problems,” she lamented.  

Related Tags

power outages Senator Risa Hontiveros DOE energy crisis National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)
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