Possible power outages feared during canvassing of votes

MANILA, Philippines — It’s not the possible power outages during the May 13 election but during the transmission and counting of votes that make the country’s energy officials worry.

Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola admitted this during the hearing of the Senate committee on energy that is looking into recent power interruptions in some parts of Luzon.

“Just on the election day itself, just to appease the participants in this room. The election day was declared as a holiday so expectedly the demand for power will be low on that day so we expect sufficient reserves specifically on that day,” Delola said.

“The worry that we’re having is the day after the election which is actually the counting day, the transmission of votes; so that’s the most special day that we have to secure on the election week,” he said.

The remark came after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asked what the government is doing to prevent the possibility of forced outages during this summer season.

Some parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces have been experiencing rotational brownouts.

Reacting to Delola, Gatchalian said: “Siguro mag-uumpisa na kaming magdasal…I think that’s the only solution.”

Before this, DOE Undersecretary Felix Fuentebella assured there is sufficient power supply.

“Barring any forced outage, we have sufficient supply,” Fuenteballa told the committee. /je