NO POWER OUTAGES FROM SATURDAY – NAPOCOR-MARELCO

There will be more than sufficient supply of fuel starting tomorrow that should ensure no rotating brownouts in Marinduque as fuel supplied by Petron are delivered on Friday, April 23rd. The total fuel supply contracted is expected to last until November this year.

Boac Diesel Power Plant Superintendent Nelson Molina explained that Caltex, that used to supply fuel for the Boac DPP and related power plants, closed down its fuel storage plant in Balogo in March. Current fuel shortage was due to failed bidding (no bidders) last month for new supply after Caltex left. Petron won as the new supplier in the latest bid. Negotiation was thereafter undertaken with White Gold, a private hauling company for shipment of the first 408,000 liters for the Boac DPP.

This was conveyed by Molina at the start of a meeting held this morning at the Governor’s Office. The meeting was called by Gov. Jose Antonio N. Carrion in view of the recurring power outages and the proximity of the forthcoming elections.

Marelco Manager Eduardo Bueno, meanwhile, revealed contingency plans undertaken by Marelco before, during and after the conduct of the forthcoming national and local elections in the island-province. This includes the readiness of linemen to respond on call to problems related to power distribution in the barangays.

He stressed, however, that power outages could still be caused by factors such as coco fronds or tree branches hitting power lines when strong winds blow. It is therefore important to still tap available power generators especially those owned by individuals and private business throughout the province that could be utilized during unexpected outages, he said.

Nevertheless, available power capability is at 10MW while Marelco’s normal consumption target is set at 7.5 MW, Bueno said.

COMELEC Provincial Election Supervisor, Fernando Besino who also joined the meeting that was presided over by Provincial Administrator, Roberto L. Abling, also conveyed concerns for some barangays still without electric service. He said that according to his information, there are two such barangays in Torrijos, seven in Boac, and two in Mogpog. Besino requested for Marelco’s official confirmation of the said report.

Besino also stressed the utmost importance of ensuring uninterrupted power supply from May 3, 2010, when the delivery to Marinduque of PCOS machines starts, up to after the elections on May 10 to at least May 15, 2010.

During the meeting, Abling, also requested Marelco to coordinate with schools used as polling places to ensure that no problems with power lines and electrical lines therein will be encountered when the PCOS machines are finally delivered to the polling places for testing and throughout the duration of the political exercise.