GOVERNMENT and private sector are working towards ensuring utilities such as power and water, even fuel, are available as the country enters week two of quarantine.
The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, has directed all power industry stakeholders to submit their business continuity plans to ensure electricity supply sufficiency amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement the agency has asked all power stakeholders to indicate their companies’ strategies and programs to ensure uninterrupted operation of their existing power plant facilities as well as their immediate plans to facilitate ongoing power projects.
Oil sufficient
Petron Corp., the country’s biggest fuel retailer, assured consumers of the continuous supply of its petroleum products.
Ramon Ang, Petron president and chief executive officer, said the company will ensure there is enough fuel, especially for vital industries to keep the economy running.
“Our entire supply chain is working overtime to ensure that enough products are produced at our refinery. Vessels are continuously loaded so that our terminals are filled and tank truck operations remain consistent. We are also trying our best to keep as many of our stations open and filled as possible while putting the safety and well-being of our employees first,” Ang said.
Ang said the oil industry is among those granted exemption by the government from the Luzon-wide community quarantine, adding the company has activated its business continuity plan.
No readings
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has assured drinking water supplied to customers is safe and is compliant with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.
MWSS said water will continue to be available despite the implementation of an enhanced community quarantine as manning of Umiray-Angat-Ipo Dam and existing waterworks and water conveyance systems continues.
However, MWSS appeals for the public to stay calm and just store enough water for their own daily consumption.
Both Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services inc. are suspending meter reading and billing activities until further notice.
Current water bill will be computed based on the average consumption for the past three months.
The companies said any difference versus actual consumption will be reflected and charges will be adjusted on the customers’ next bill when they resume read-and-bill operations.
Normal billing process will be observed when the government authorities officially confirm the end of the enhanced community quarantine.
