QUEZON City, March 14, 2015—Calling it a problem that perennially besets the country, the Association of Major Religious Superior of the Philippines (AMRSP) expresses hope the Aquino administration has already done adequate preparations in the face of a potential energy crisis in April, exhorting the faithful to use energy wisely.
Parts of Luzon will likely experience power outages once the Malampaya natural gas facility in northwest Palawan undergoes a 30-day maintenance shutdown starting March 15 until April 14. (Photo: Oliver Samson)
Nothing new
“It’s nothing new. We’ve always confronted this energy problem. It means that, by now, the government has already come out with a positive solution,” Fr. Dexter A. Toledo, AMRSP executive secretary, told Church-run Radyo Veritas in an interview.
The Franciscan priest explained ordinary Filipino citizens must also do their part in helping solve the impending crisis by limiting their electrical consumption.
30-day maintenance shutdown
Manila Standard Today reported earlier that Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will likely experience power outages once the Malampaya natural gas facility in northwest Palawan undergoes a 30-day maintenance shutdown starting March 15 until April 14.
Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla fears an unexpected shutdown of only one power plant will result in brownouts across Luzon due to the thin reserves of the grid, but prays not one more will bog down during the dry season when most hydroelectric power plants cannot be relied on.
Power hike
The Manila Electric Co, (Meralco) predicted increased demand, along with plant shutdowns, could spell higher electricity rates in March with a possible Php 1 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) automatic increase. (Raymond A. Sebastián/CBCP News)
