Defense chief wants generators on standby for the elections

CEBU, Philippines - Defense chief Norberto Gonzales yesterday instructed all the heads of National Disaster Coordinating Councils in the country to conduct an inventory all the generators in their respective areas of responsibility to ensure that there will be enough power supply during the elections.

Gonzales is giving the heads two weeks or until April 17, 2010 to submit to him the lists of generators owned by private individuals.

"I'm sure that the private sector will help us. The generators will be used as a back-up power supply just in case there is a power failure on the day of the election," Gonzales said in a briefing with the NDCC heads at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

Gonzales said that the Commission on Elections and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been preparing to ensure that the May 10, 2010 elections will take place.

"Itong ginagawa natin is to prove once again to the ever-suspicious public that this administration is bent on conducting an election. We want the election to take place, hindi pwedeng hindi. Kaya we have to inventory all the power generators para makatulong just in case may power failure," Gonzales said.

Gonzales said that he will issue a memorandum directing the AFP to coordinate with the NDCC heads in conducting the inventory of the power generators.

Gonzales further emphasized that the presence of a generator is not an indication that there will be a brownout on election day but an assurance that the Arroyo administration really wants the election to happen.

The defense chief added that his office will provide funds for the fuel and the personnel who will man the power generators.

"We want to assure our people that we have contingency plans," he added. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP