MANILA, Philippines – While May 13 (Monday) was already declared a special non-working holiday for the 2019 national and local elections, there is a call to extend the holiday up until May 14 (Tuesday).
The Department of Energy urged Malacañang to consider declaring May 14 as a holiday to help guarantee sufficient power supply during the tallying of votes.
Although DOE already affirmed that they have sufficient supply of power nationwide on Election day, they fear the canvassing of votes might be interrupted with power outages.
DOE Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola noted that if we continue to consume the same level of maximum megawatts until May 14, a 1-hour rotational brownouts might not be avoided.
House Committee on Energy Chairman Lord Allan Velasco said that if brownouts will happen on votes canvassing day, the results might be jeopardized and its integrity questioned. Hence, he asked DOE to come up with concrete solutions.
He said, “The integrity of the election results will raise questions if brownouts happen.”
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace is open to hear the recommendations of DOE on the issue.
Panelo confirmed that they have yet to receive any formal recommendations from DOE.
The Spokesperson, however, assured that the military and police are ready to secure the elections, especially in COMELEC “hot spots” area.
“The Department of Interior and Local Government, along with the Department of National Defense assured that the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are ready to secure the 2019 elections,” he said.
NOTE: This is a developing story. Check back for the updates.
— Sally, The Summit Express
The Department of Energy urged Malacañang to consider declaring May 14 as a holiday to help guarantee sufficient power supply during the tallying of votes.
Although DOE already affirmed that they have sufficient supply of power nationwide on Election day, they fear the canvassing of votes might be interrupted with power outages.
DOE Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola noted that if we continue to consume the same level of maximum megawatts until May 14, a 1-hour rotational brownouts might not be avoided.
House Committee on Energy Chairman Lord Allan Velasco said that if brownouts will happen on votes canvassing day, the results might be jeopardized and its integrity questioned. Hence, he asked DOE to come up with concrete solutions.
He said, “The integrity of the election results will raise questions if brownouts happen.”
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace is open to hear the recommendations of DOE on the issue.
Panelo confirmed that they have yet to receive any formal recommendations from DOE.
The Spokesperson, however, assured that the military and police are ready to secure the elections, especially in COMELEC “hot spots” area.
“The Department of Interior and Local Government, along with the Department of National Defense assured that the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are ready to secure the 2019 elections,” he said.
NOTE: This is a developing story. Check back for the updates.
— Sally, The Summit Express
