In case they need more power, some polling places under watch

CEBU, Philippines - Out of 198 polling places within the franchise area of the Visayan Electric Company which will be used for the coming May elections, 72 will be closely monitored as electricity consumption in these precincts may possibly surmount its capacity load.

That’s if all other consumers in the area, apart from the school, will be using electricity to its full capacity all at the same time, said VECO corporate communications manager Theresa Sederiosa.

She explained that schools which will be used as polling places only use minimal electricity which makes it unlikely to have power shortage.

In fact, there was no power outage reported during the previous election.

But Sederiosa said that VECO came up with the list as a projection to guide them on which precincts need watching so they can make sure everything will be smooth sailing on May 13.

During the 888 news forum yesterday at the Marco Polo Plaza, Sederiosa assured that contingency plans are already in place for identified precincts within VECO’s entire franchise area that includes Cebu City to Liloan in the north and to San Fernando in the south.

“We always have contingencies, whether election period or not,” said Sederiosa, adding that they are still vigilant considering the high demand for electricity following the increase of establishments in Cebu plus the fierce heat of the sun.

In fact, Sederiosa said that the demand of electricity from their consumers has doubled from 200 megawatts to 400 megawatts.

Regardless, Sederiosa explained that this does not hamper the supply especially in Cebu which has a lot of resources for energy.

VECO is the second largest power distributor in the country with over 380,000 consumers nationwide.

Yesterday, Sederiosa showed the summary list of precincts within VECO franchise area that they are closely monitoring this coming May 13.

This is in line with Department of Energy’s circular DOE in relation to the creation of Power Task Force Election 2013 who are tasked to identify areas in the country that requires added effort with regards to the energy supply before, on and after Election Day.

In VECO’s list, seven out of 46 polling places in Cebu City may reach overloaded status. These include Busay National High School and the elementary schools of Carreta, Hipodromo, Lahug, Luz, Regino Mercado in Pahina central and Pit-os.

As for Mandaue City, 16 out of 27 precincts may go overload if all other consumers will also be using full electricity supply. Elementary schools that will be closely monitored are both Mandaue City Central School in Centro Poblacion and Alang-Alang, as well as Bakilid and Banilad elementary schools and Cabancalan 1 and 2 elementary schools.

Also included are Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School, Cubacub Primary School, Mayor A.S. Fortuna Memorial Elementary School, Ibabao-Estancia Elementary School, Leonardo Wood Elementary School, Labogon Elementary School, Maguikay Elementary School, Don Llamera Ouano National High School, Subangdaku Elementary School, and Tipolo and Opao elementary schools.

Ten of 21 schools in Consolacion will also be monitored, namely; Consolacion Central School, Cabangahan Elementary School, Cansaga Primary School, Consolacion Central School, Bagong Lipunan Elementary School in Pulpogan, and elementary schools in Jugan, Lamac, Nangka, ToloTolo and Tugbongan. In Liloan, VECO will be monitoring closely Jubay, San Vicente and Yati elementary schools.

In the south, ten out of 22 schools in Talisay city are included in the list, namely; Talisay Central School, Pooc National High School, Talisay Central School, Lawaan II National High School, Tangke Elementary School, Candulawan Elementary School, Jaclupan Elementary School, Lagtang Elementary School, San Isidro Elementary School and Tapul Elementary School.

Also to be monitored are six out of 19 schools in Minglanilla, namely; Minglanilla Central School, Candulawan Elementary School, Lipata Central School, Bacay Elementary and High School, Tungkop Elementary School in Tungkop and in Tunghaan and Lower Tunghaan Elementary School.

While in Naga, 13 out of 28 schools will be closely monitored. These are elementary schools in Balirong, Cantao-an, Colon, Inayagan, Inoburan, Pangdan, Tuyan and Uling. Also included are the central schools of Naga in Tangke as well as those in Central, East, North and South Poblacion.

In San Fernando, VECO has included Poblacion South Central School, Balud Elementary School and Sangat Elementary School as schools to monitor out of 21 schools.

Further, Sederiosa said that they are relying on the assurance as well of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines that no power plant is allowed to conduct maintenance or upgrading during critical days like election day.

Commission on Elections officer Ferdinand Gujilde said that the most critical days that they would be using electricity would be on May 4 which would be the region-wide simultaneous final testing and sealing of Precinct Count Optical Scan machines and May 13, election day.

Gujilde said though that they are assured there will be sufficient power supply since apart from the assurance from power distributors, PCOS machines also have back-up batteries that automatically turn on when exterior power supply is cut.

The battery of each PCOS machine can run for 12 to 16 hours, he said.

Still, both VECO and Comelec are asking for the public’s support by saving energy during the election period. —(FREEMAN)