LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY - In fulfillment of Department Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi's directive for the agency to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the damages incurred by the Bicol region in the wake of Super Typhoon Rolly, Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella yesterday (1 December) proceeded to the province of Albay for the final leg of the DOE’s assessment activities. 

"With the various calamities challenging the country each year, it is crucial that energy resiliency is properly incorporated in all energy family members' plans and operations to ensure the continuity of energy services before, during, and after calamities strike," Secretary Cusi stressed. 

During Undersecretary Fuentebella's visit to the Albay Electric Cooperative/Albay Power Energy Corporation (ALECO/APEC), electric cooperative officials reported that power restoration currently stands at 62.94% at the barangay level. 

Restoration efforts are being pursued through ALECO/APEC's Oplan Simbang Gabi which targets to energize all barangays in its franchise area on or before 15 December 2020. 

In addition, ALECO/APEC received an additional 189 manpower contingent, where 148 personnel came from the National Electrification Administration's Task Force Kapatid, and 41 from MERALCO. 

Undersecretary Fuentebella, in his dialogue with ALECO/APEC members, highlighted the importance of integrating the DOE's Energy Resiliency Policy (Department Circular No. DC2018-01-001) to adapt to and/or mitigate future hazards that adversely affect energy facilities. He added that the “Local Government Unit Energy Code”, a policy directive issued jointly by the DOE and the Department of Interior and Local Government through Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-01 may also be used to comprehensively identify and develop the energy resources and facilities during spatial and development planning stages. 

###