Despite threats of yellow alerts in Luzon, the Department of Energy, or DoE, assured the public that there will be no power interruptions during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, or BSKE, on Monday, 30 October.

"Safeguarding the energy needs of the country during the critical electoral process is our foremost concern, and we have enlisted the full cooperation of all our stakeholders in the  generation, transmission, and distribution sectors in this endeavor," Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said on Thursday.

"Preparations have been undertaken to ensure that there would be enough power in the days leading up to, during, and in the immediate conduct of the elections," he added.

Based on the latest data provided by the DoE, the demand forecast in Luzon during election week will be at 12,257 megawatts, or MW. Lotilla said he has instructed Energy Task Force Elections to prevent unscheduled power outages that may disrupt the voting and counting processes.

The group is also tasked to coordinate with power-generating companies and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, or NGCP, to ensure the availability of electricity.

The NGCP was likewise directed to utilize the High Voltage Direct Current and the Mindanao Visayas Interconnection Project during peak hours to balance the grid's power supply and demand system.

Energy Task Force Election will also manage the distribution utilities' deployment of special and emergency line crews to check power lines for any obstructions within their franchise areas.

On standby

On election day, the special and emergency line crews will be on standby with the necessary logistical support to immediately respond to emergency cases affecting the power supply.

Distribution utilities have been directed to ensure that all substation facilities and distribution lines operate normally to prevent any disruptions in the energy supply.

Separately, the National Electrification Administration, or NEA, along with the 121 electric cooperatives under its watch, said it activated its 24-hour power situation monitoring system to help ensure the smooth conduct of the local elections.

The Commission on Elections has deputized the NEA to "provide and maintain the stable and continuous nationwide electric power requirements from the start of voting until the conclusion of the counting of votes, and the proclamation of the winning candidates."