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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider DOE rushes fuel to power plants linked to Zaldy Co

DOE rushes fuel to power plants linked to Zaldy Co

Published Apr 22, 2026 03:28 pm
The Department of Energy (DOE) is intervening to avert a total blackout in Catanduanes by facilitating emergency fuel deliveries to diesel-fired power plants operated by a company linked to former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said on Wednesday, April 22, that the agency is coordinating with the National Power Corp. (NPC) and PNOC-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) to facilitate the urgent delivery of fuel to Catanduanes, ensuring the province’s diesel-powered plants remain operational amid the oil crisis.
“We note that SUWECO [Sunwest Water and Electric Company] has already secured initial fuel supply equivalent to around one (1) week of operation, and additional deliveries are being arranged on a continuous and staggered basis to prevent any disruption in service,” she said. “The government is stepping in to reinforce this effort, ensuring that fuel logistics and inter-agency coordination are aligned to maintain uninterrupted power.”
Apart from logistical support, the Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed that subsidy allocations under the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME) have been mobilized to sustain the island’s power operations.
According to NPC, UCME funds earmarked for (SUWECO) are currently available for pickup, with subsequent payment tranches nearing finalization. This financial intervention is expected to provide immediate liquidity, allowing the utility firm to settle fuel obligations and maintain uninterrupted service across the province.
The national government emphasized that these proactive measures are designed to insulate domestic consumers from power disruptions caused by volatile international oil prices, which have spiked amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Looking ahead, the DOE is moving to fortify Catanduanes’ energy resilience by streamlining supply contracting processes, rehabilitating aging infrastructure, and ensuring the on-time commissioning of vital generation and transmission projects.
SUWECO is an energy unit under the Sunwest Group, a conglomerate founded by Zaldy Co. He has claimed to have divested from the company in 2019. (Gabriell Christel Galang)

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DOE Zaldy Co Catanduanes SUWECO
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