DOE backs ‘energy emergency’ declaration in Cebu amid strained Visayas grid

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) on Monday, June 22, backed proposals to declare an ‘energy emergency’ in Cebu as the Visayas grid continues to reel from thinning supply that has disrupted daily lives and economic activity.

Energy Sharon Garin made the statement amid mounting pressure on authorities to take decisive action on the power supply crunch battering the region.

“If sa palagay ng local government [na] declare ng energy emergency or emergency powers nila, then we can support that,” Garin said in a briefer on Monday.

(If following the assessment of the local government, the declaration of energy emergency is made, we can support that.)

READ MORE: CERA: Declare energy emergency in Cebu due to low power supply

The department, she added, would not stand in the way of local officials seeking expanded powers to address the crisis.

More than a technical problem

Garin acknowledged that the power crunch in the region “has gone beyond a technical grid problem,” saying it is now hitting consumers and businesses on a day-to-day basis.

On the national level, the DOE has been instructed by the President to act, with a one-month deadline to show results, she added.

“We have deliverables within one month — kailangan maayos na yan, or at least makaiwas na yung red alert,” the Cabinet member said.

She added that the department is in active coordination with key power sector agencies and stakeholders — including the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) — as well as private companies capable of bringing in additional power supply to the Visayas grid within the given timeframe.

“Hindi kami mag-aantay ng emergency declaration for the area beside us — pero we are already working on it and hopefully, malimit na ang disruption,” she said.

(We do not wait for an emergency declaration for the area beside us — but we are already working on it and hopefully, the disruption will be limited.)

The Visayas grid has been placed on successive yellow and red alerts since May 12. As a result, several areas in the region, including Cebu, have suffered rotating brownouts, impacting households, hospitals, and businesses.

READ MORE: Visayas grid enters 7th straight week of Yellow Alerts

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