Power firms assure power supply during election day

By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis

BAGUIO CITY-- Players in the power industry assured there will be adequate power supply during the automated May 13 national and local elections in Luzon. 

Lilibeth Gaydowen, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines North Luzon Corporate communications and public affairs officer, said regular line maintenance and preventive maintenance that the NGCP has been conducting since February this year were to ensure that transmission lines of the North Luzon will function well during the May elections. 

In a statement, “in time for the upcoming May elections, NGCP commits to the public that the country's power grid will remain reliable and stable during the crucial political event.” “We will make sure that power delivery is excellent and transmission lines and equipment are at their best to ensure that we have electricity for the voting machines.” 

NGCP also formed a special task force which will be responsible for the smooth transmission of electricity and creation of contingency plans and measures during the election.

This, as Benguet Electric Cooperative general manager Gerardo Versoza told a press briefing, power supply was adequate and voting or polling precincts in the city of Baguio and Benguet during elections. 

Benenco legal officer Delmar Carino said they will strictly follow  guidelines set by the National Electrification Administration to all the electric cooperatives to ensure enough power supply and avoid any interruption and problem during the election day. 

Carino said that before election day, Beneco will conduct a thorough inspection of the entire distribution and perform preventive maintenance.

They will also do inventory of supplies and procure materials to ensure their facilities and equipment would be working properly. 

They will also coordinate with school officials for inspection and repair or replacement of electrical wirings, switches convenience outlets as well as protective devices of school buildings which will serve as polling centers. 

According to Carino, Beneco will deploy a 24-hour skeletal force on election day for any line or equipment breakdown.

A stationary lineman and roving crew will be assigned in every polling center to conduct routine line patrolling and respond to electrical troubles. 

He added their engineering department will conduct an inventory of generators to back up power supply should any hitch occur during election day. 

Carino encouraged the public to report significant outages and problems especially in the far-flung areas in Benguet.