Amid power supply problem, Rama to meet stakeholders for solution

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is again calling for a convergence of various stakeholders amid the reported thin power supply reserve in the Visayas region.

“We will again do a convergence,” Rama said over the Sugbuanon channel.

According to Rama, they have done it before and will do it again this time to find a collective strategy how to conserve electricity.

“We will do brainstorming to gather inputs from all possible sectors on how to prevent, else deal with a reduction of power supply that could lead to brownouts,” Rama said.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Luzon grid under red alert, and both the Visayas and Mindanao grids under yellow alert over insufficient of supply to meet contingency requirement.

NGCP reported several power plants are offline, with some of them unavailable since last year, with some others operating on derated capacities.

The Visayan Electric has also asked industry and commercial operators in the city and the rest of its franchise area to adopt its Interruptible Load Program (ILP) to help prevent brownouts.

For Cebu City, Rama will do its share to mitigate the impact of a double crisis in water and power from what focused group discussions will propose.

Meanwhile, AMA - SUGBO KMU urges the workers to demand for immediate action against the worsening heat which results in difficulties inside and outside the factories.

This came after Philippine heat index has reached 46 degrees celsius, and is expected to rise in the following month.

“The rising heat has a huge effect on the welfare and well-being of our workers and members of informal sectors. Our workers are constantly bothered by the rising heat, from the moment they head to work, while inside their factories, and even when they head home,” said Jaime Paglinawan, AMA - SUGBU KMI chairperson.

Huge damage on food and water supplies has been noted and many places in Cebu are experiencing water shortages in the middle of this scorching heat. With this, prices of basic goods are expected to soar higher along with the electricity bills.

AMA-SUGBO KMU feels that the Marcos Jr. administration has done nothing to protect the people in the midst of this rising heat index aside from constant reminders.

“We invite all the workers to push the government agencies to take action in order to lessen the impact on the basic sectors affected by the current climate, and not just give us constant reminders. We invite the to unite and demand DOLE for a fast and wide monitoring of factories and workplaces to check for proper ventilation and cooling devices, free access to potable water, as well as temperature-appropriate and free personal protective equipment to protect the workers. Additional paid breaks as well as rest areas should also be checked to ensure that the workers have a place to rest when the heat becomes too much during work,” said Paglinawan.

AMA -SUGBU KMU also calls for the lawmakers in the Senate and Congress to draft bills that would provide paid breaks and leaves for workers amidst the worsening heat conditions while local government units are expected to provide free access to potable water for drivers, vendors, and commuters to prevent adverse effects on the body such as heat stroke.

“In this worsening heat, it is time for workers, unionized or not, to push for their rights for a safe and healthy work environment from the business owners and the government,” concluded Paglinawan. — (FREEMAN)