No power outages on election day – peco

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THE lone power distributor in Iloilo City assured uninterrupted power supply during the May 13, 2019 national and local selections.

Panay Electric Company, Inc. (PECO) Vice President for Operations Engr. Randy Pastolero said they have outlined preparations to secure stable power supply on Election Day.

Pastolero said they sent out additional teams and supervisors to monitor their lines.

“Barring any untoward incidents or any emergencies halin sa aton power suppliers and diri man sa aton areas of responsibilities sa aton facilities we feel nga ma-sustain naton ang elections without power interruptions,” he said.

Aside from this, PECO will also dispatch trouble-shooter teams to respond to emergency power interruptions in schools where the voting precincts are located.

“Kami sa PECO, as usual basta elections ginahandaan naton ini and ready man ang PECO magresponde in the event nga may ara kita emergency power interruptions,” Pastolero said.

As for additional power supply, Pastolero said they have requested to Panay Power Corp. (PPC), one of their power suppliers, to run its diesel plant in order to augment the coal-fired power plant of Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC).

“Nag-request man kami sa amon power supplier nga mapa-dispatch kami diesel plant kun mahimo mapadalgaan na daan sa PPC in addition sa supply halin sa coal plant,” he said.

PECO draws power from PEDC and PPC which are subsidiaries of Global Business Power Corp.

On a regular office day, the peak demand of the city is 118 megawatts.

But Pastolero said they expect the power demand to decrease on the day of elections since May 13 was declared a special (Non-working) Holiday by the national government.

“Load demand during office day ang aton peak demand nagalab-ot na sa 118 megawatts, but we expect during elections kay wala opisina dira, manubo siya sang gamay.”

In terms of security, Pastolero said they have closely coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP) for added security personnel to secure their vital installations and facilities.

“Nag-coordinate na kami sa PNP since part kami sa task force nila to secure man the power supply sa elections kag safety sa aton facilities. They will provide us security personnel sa aton vital installations,” he said.