Sherwin Gatchalian
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Senator Sherwin 鈥淲in鈥� Gatchalian on Wednesday urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to implement stop-gap measures in light of impending yellow alert in areas covered by the Luzon grid.
Gatchalian aired his concern amid the ongoing El Ni帽o.
鈥淭he DOE should immediately form an El Ni帽o task force to convene all power plants and distribution utilities to plan for contingency measures, including the implementation of the Interruptible Load Program,鈥� Gatchalian said in a statement.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 critical that the government is able to provide sufficient energy supply at all times, especially during summer months,鈥� he added.
Citing reports from DOE, Gatchalian said El Ni帽o has negatively impacted hydropower plant operations, increasing the danger of energy supply disruptions in Luzon from April to May.
Gatchalian, vice-chair of the Senate committee on energy, stated, 鈥淭he impact of a supply shortage on the economy could be devastating, and we must all work together to ensure that every consumer鈥檚 electricity requirement is sufficiently met.鈥� ANA MAE MALATE, INQUIRER.NET TRAINEE