DOE Underscores E-Safety in the Power Sector

Wazzup Pilipinas!

ENERGY SAFETY FIRST: The Department of Energy and the Manila Electric Company met on 27 July to synergize efforts that ensure electrical safety in the Philippine power sector. In the photo are Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella (center) and MERALCO Vice President and Head of the Organizational Safety and Resiliency Office, Engineer Antonio Abuel Jr. (center-right), the DOE's technical staff, representatives from the MERALCO Power Academy and the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers.

As part of continuing efforts to promote electrical safety practices in the country, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) and key experts met to discuss the Kuryenteng Ligtas Program (K-Ligtas) which enhances the E-Safety principle under the DOE’s E-Power Mo Movement on 27 July at the agency’s headquarters in Taguig City.

“We are working towards an energy safe and resilient Philippines. To do this, we constantly dialogue with our partners to collaborate our efforts towards the promotion of having an energy efficient lifestyle for our consumers,” DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said. 

DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella and MERALCO Vice President and Head of the Organizational Safety and Resiliency Office, Engr. Antonio Abuel Jr. led the meeting. The K-Ligtas Program of MERALCO recognizes exemplary programs and work practices of various organizations through the Electrical Safety Awards (LINK:http://bit.ly/K-LigtasAwards). K-Ligtas also cites contributions from various sectors on the safe use of electricity that could serve as models for all energy stakeholders. It also seeks the practices that may be adopted by different communities and groups for their own benefit.

The parties further discussed the DOE’s Resiliency Policy, which requires energy players to submit their respective Resiliency Compliance Plans. Usec. Fuentebella said such plans will be incorporated in succeeding policies to improve the country’s energy resiliency standards.

Given the extensive experience of MERALCO in power distribution, the Undersecretary asked the MERALCO Power Academy to initiate the discussions towards a policy on electrical safety standards.

Also present were representatives from the MERALCO Power Academy, the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers and the DOE Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB).