ALFONSO CUSI/JULY 20, 2016 Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi visits Philippine Daily Inquirer for a round table discussion with the Inquirer business editors and reporters. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOHN PAUL R. AUTOR
MANILA, Philippines — Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Wednesday assured that he is still able to do his job supervising the energy sector amid the issues in his political party.
He issued the assurance after Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate and Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares urged him to “stop politicking” and prioritize instead the looming power supply shortage.
Cusi serves as the vice chairman of ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). To recall, Cusi recently called a meeting for PDP-Laban members which Senator Manny Pacquiao, the party’s president, said was against party rules. Cusi later defended that the meeting was authorized by President Rodrigo Duterte as the party chair.
“It doesn’t mean when I attend the PDP-Laban or my court assignment sa Region 4 ay hindi ko nagagawa ang kailangan na trabaho sa Department of Energy,” he said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
“I work everyday during pandemic, I report to the office and talagang iniintindi natin yan [we are really attending to that]. I am aware of the responsibilities. I am aware of the importance of energy and making sure it is addressed,” he added.
Rotational power interruptions are being implemented in Luzon due to thinning power supply.
On Wednesday, the Luzon Grid, including Metro Manila, will be under red alert for 13 hours.
Cusi said the plans for addressing the energy supply, such as rotational brownouts, are already laid out and the Department of Energy is already addressing the problems.
“Hindi naman lahat ako gumagawa niyan. Hindi natin papabayaan ang trabaho [It’s not only who do all those things. We are not disregarding our job],” he said.
He assured that there is still enough power supply in the country amid power interruptions being implemented, adding that rotational brownouts were caused by power plant breakdowns.