Mayor Crisostomo Garbo demanded explanations from the Pampanga II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PELCO II) on the frequent unscheduled power interruptions in the city.
In an effort to address the problem, Mayor Garbo instructed key officials from the local government unit (LGU) to meet with top representatives from PELCO II and ask for solutions.
PELCO II officials cited the recent impact of the El Niño phenomenon on the country’s extreme temperature and heat index since March. This has spurred a heightened demand for power, leading to the shutdown of power-generating plants and the subsequent unscheduled power interruptions experienced by residents in Mabalacat City.
PELCO II outlined a series of actions to be taken in collaboration with the LGU to address the immediate, short-term, and long-term challenges affecting the city’s power supply.
For the immediate term, PELCO II plans to implement load transfer and load balancing among the three transformers to optimize power distribution and mitigate the impact of the unscheduled power interruptions. Additionally, with the LGU’s assistance, PELCO II will reach out to major energy users in the city to encourage participation in the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) established by the Department of Energy (DOE).
In the short to medium term, PELCO II aims to expedite the completion of the Sta. Maria Power Sub-station by the first quarter of 2025, increasing its capacity to 25 MVA. This strategic move is expected to enhance the overall power infrastructure and improve the reliability of the city’s power supply.
Looking towards the long term, PELCO II has committed to establish another power sub-station in Dau to enhance the capacity of the existing Mabiga sub-station. It will likewise facilitate the construction and completion of the city’s waste-to-energy project to bolster the city’s power grid, ensure sustainability, and meet the growing energy demands of Mabalacat City.
Attending the meeting were City Administrator Franco Alejo Madlangbayan, Rosan Paquia of the CPDO, City Engr. Rod De Leon, CIO head Jay Pelayo IV, and Mar Pangilinan, the MCG Consultant on Utilities.
Representing PELCO II were Engr. Enrique Y. Gamboa, Head of Technical Services, Engr. Marvin Sanidad, Head of Systems Operations, Engr. Marvin Delfin, Head of Systems Design, Engr. Delbren Maniago, Maintenance Supervisor, and Edward P. Timog, Area Head for Mabalacat City.
Mayor Garbo expressed optimism on the collaboration and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation.
In an earlier statement, Mayor Cris Garbo expressed his deep concern over the detrimental effects of these power outages on the city’s residents, businesses, and overall productivity. He emphasized the urgency of finding immediate solutions to address the issues and ensure reliable and uninterrupted power supply for the city.
