DOE readies post-lockdown measures

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing new measures in the energy industry once the enhanced community quarantine is lifted in Metro Manila and other areas in the country.

In a text message yesterday, DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said these measures are being put in place to meet energy demands during the “new normal.”

“We need to make sure that energy must be sufficient to support the demand in restarting the economy,” he said.

The agency is working with industry players to adapt to the new normal post-quarantine.

“All hands of the industry players must be on deck to make it happen. We need to set the working standard or protocol for the new normal. Health protocol must be observed by all,” Cusi said.

President Duterte placed Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine on March 16, while other regions with high number of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases followed suit.

The quarantine was supposed to end on April 12, but was extended to April 30 and then May 15.

The lockdown has driven power demand to drop by around 30 percent—29 percent for Luzon, 32 percent for Visayas, and 42 percent in Mindanao, Cusi said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart.

This meant the entire country had more than enough supply during the quarantine period.

However, once the quarantine period is lifted, the DOE expects an increase in power demand as more businesses and industries resume operations.

“For power, after lockdown or (quarantine), there will be an increase in demand for power because everybody would like to restart. We just have to be ready for that. We are preparing for post-(quarantine),” Cusi said.

Part of the post-quarantine measure being worked out are changes in certain rules and amendments in some to navigate around the new normal, according to the DOE chief.