Senator Risa Hontiveros is urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide a sustainable solution to the persistent alert levels in the Luzon grid. This call follows increased electricity demand this summer, leading the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to issue red and yellow alerts due to supply shortages.

“We’ve had enough. Paulit-ulit ang pagkukulang ng NGCP. Ang kuryente, pampagaan yan ng buhay, hindi pampabigat. Kailangan na natin ng isang totoo at sustainable na solusyon sa harap ng sabay-sabay na outages ng mahigit 20 planta,” the senator said.

The NGCP reported that as of Saturday, a total of 2,325.8 megawatts (MW) of electricity is unavailable to the grid due to 22 power plants being in forced outage, with another operating at reduced capacity. These alerts are frequently linked to power plants experiencing malfunctions and declining reserve levels.

The senator insisted on a more comprehensive explanation from the DOE, particularly as consumers are once again enduring rotational brownouts and facing higher power bills similar to previous summers.

“Paanong naging sabay-sabay yung mga outages ng mahigit 20 planta? At sasabihin lahat ng yun ay unplanned outages? Kung hindi nila yan maipaliwanag, hindi na rin nakakapagtaka na paikot-ikot at paulit-ulit ang problemang ito,” Hontiveros said.

The senator also urged the DOE to avoid consistently transferring the burden of adjustment onto the shoulders of the public.

Hontiveros said that instead of asking consumers to use less electricity when it is most needed, Secretary Lotilla should focus on creating smart plans and taking real actions, rather than making empty promises.

Hontiveros emphasized the pressing need for the DOE to take proactive steps and implement strategic planning to address the ongoing electricity challenges affecting the public.

“Tama na. It’s about time energy officials stopped dragging their feet. We deserve better than their endless excuses and half-baked explanations, and it’s time to hear innovative solutions to tackle these relentless power outages,” Hontiveros concluded.