TAGUIG CITY - The entire energy family, through the Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER), has been on full alert in view of Taal Volcano's eruption.
Based on the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), Taal Volcano was placed on ALERTLEVEL 3 (Magmatic Unrest) on 1 July 2021.
DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, “I instructed the DOE-led Task Force on Energy Resiliency to be on full alert, activate action and business continuity plans, prepare for the worst-case scenario with the current COVID-19 pandemic, and maintain round-the-clock communications, especially with NDRRMC and DOST-PHIVOLCS.”
TFER Chairperson, Undersecretary Alexander S. Lopez, called upon the members of the task force including concerned energy stakeholders in the oil and power industries to an emergency meeting, today. During the meeting, the TFER Secretariat presented the possible worst-case scenarios for both power and oil supply with the corresponding action plans based on lessons learned during the Taal Eruption in 2020.
In his remarks, Undersecretary Lopez highlighted the measures that should be implemented alongside the current COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the health protocols and the ongoing vaccination rollout.
The concerned Power Generation Companies started to implement their contingency measures, including human resources, the preparation of personal protective equipment, specifically masks, and maintaining close coordination with the DOE and Local Government Units (LGUs).
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines – South Luzon activated their preparedness plan for sub-stations and transmission lines. This included securing equipment and machineries, equipping their response teams for the cleaning of insulators, and having their teams from other regions on standby for possible deployment. In addition, the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) is closely coordinating with the NGCP on the status of the grid and the continuous monitoring the situation.
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) had already advised the concerned electric cooperatives to be on alert, activate the emergency response organization handling emergency response protocol implementation, and prepare supplemental manpower to support power restoration activities.
Meanwhile, Batangas I Electric Cooperative (BATELEC I) and Batangas II Electric Cooperative (BATELEC II) shared lessons learned and discussed their prepared action and restoration plans. In addition, MERALCO presented their first-hand experiences last year and their enhanced actions plans featuring additional equipment and restoration crew complements that are ready to respond.
In terms of oil supply, the DOE – Oil Industry and Management Bureau called upon oil industry participants to present the status of their facilities and inventories and to be prepared with their contingency plans.
"The entire energy family will continue to monitor the situation. We will immediately address any adverse impact on energy systems and facilities, if permitted. We urge our kababayans to stay alert and be aware of potential hazards and safety concerns, and to fully cooperate with the Local Government Units," Secretary Cusi concluded.
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