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MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) said the country has sufficient energy supply during the El Niño season which is expected to continue until the summer month of May.
DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said “the power situation is not much of a concern.”
“We foresee no power supply issues in the coming months. In terms of energy outlooks, we foresee no problems with Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao forecasts,” Fuentebella told the second meeting of Task Force El Niño on Feb. 12 at the Office of Civil Defense at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure energy security during the El Niño and summer season, Fuentebella said the DOE is closely monitoring the timely completion of major projects of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in the first quarter of this year.
During the meeting, Fuentebella reported on the stable power supply to the Task Force El Niño, chaired by Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. while Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum is co-chairperson.
The President has designated the following officials as task force members: Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Secretary of Agriculture Francis Tiu Laurel Jr., Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, and Secretary of National Economic and Development Authority Arsenio Balisacan.
The regular meeting of the Task Force El Niño is to comply with President Marcos’ Executive Order No. 53 which directs the government to streamline, reactivate, and reconstitute the old El Niño task forces under EO No. 16 (s. 2001) and Memorandum Order No. 38 (s. 2019).
Signed on Jan. 19, 2024, President Marcos’ executive order directs the task force to develop a comprehensive disaster preparedness and rehabilitation plan for El Niño and La Niña to provide “systematic, holistic, and results-driven interventions” to help the public cope and minimize their devastating effects. (PNA)
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