By NITZ ARANCON,
Correspondent
A TOP executive of the Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Company (Cepalco) challenged the officials of National Power Corporation (NPC) and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) to advise the general public on the real power situation in Mindanao.
Cepalco vice president Ralph Paguio dared NPC and PSALM after a downpour that lasted for almost 24 hours brought about by tropical depression ‘Onyok.’ The storm was later downgraded to a Low Pressure Area (LPA).
Paguio issued the challenged after failing to answer Gold Star Daily’s question on whether the power situation in the city would improve since the torrential rains brought by ‘Onyok’ could have improved the water level of Lake Lanao and Pulangi River in Bukidnon.
“Mas maayo siguro nga ang NPC-PSALM ang atong ipatubag ana nga question,” said Paguio.
He added the power NPC-PSALM has been supplying Cepalco is not enough so they took it upon themselves to look for ways to ensure there would be no blackouts here in city.
“Kami sa Cepalco, naningkamot kami pag-pangita og power sources para makasapar sa power shortage,” Paguio said.
He said their standing contract with sister-company Minergy is one of their alternative sources of power.
However, Paguio said, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has still to approved their petition to use the power supply generated by Minergy.
“Magpa-abot lang kami sa provisional approval sa ERC sa 10 megawatts modular genset,” he said.
For her part, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) northern Mindanao spokesperson Elizabeth Ladaga said the heavy rains brought about by ‘Onyok’ were not enough to improve the power generation in Mindanao.
“We have our IDAP, kon Integrated Disaster Action Plan in place, in times of typhoon or LPA’s like Onyok,” Ladaga said.
“Our line personnel are ready 24 hours to immediately respond to emergencies, also NGCP made sure that line materials are available when needed,” added Ladaga.
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