PSALM hikes power allocation to 2 Mindanao coops
Two electric cooperatives in Mindanao had been give higher power supply allocation by state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) so their electricity service delivery to subscribers could be sustained at the duration of the enhanced community quarantine.
In a statement to the media, PSALM said it had beefed up its supply of electricity to Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO) to 42 megawatts from previously at 16.8MW.
The other recipient of heftier power supply is Maguindanao Electric Cooperative (MAGELCO), of which capacity offtake had been inched up to 17.88MW from 10MW.
PSALM said the higher supply earmarked for the two Mindanao electric cooperatives is a “temporary measure, especially to make sure that the hospitals and frontline services in their areas will not experience any power outages.”
With the buoyed supply, the aggregate capacity funneled to the two ECs already totaled 59.88MW and this will account for their April supply, according to the governmentowned firm.
It has to be recalled that the two ECs still have massive debts unsettled with PSALM on previous power supply procurements. LASURECO’s arrears with PSALM as of end-December last year were at ₱6.459 billion; and MAGELCO at ₱2.103 billion.
PSALM justified that its move on providing the two power utilities with increased power supply was anchored on the provisions of Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One” Act, which is the legal armor of the government to contain further sprawl of the novel coronavirus.
The company explained that Section 4 (u) of the law prescribes the “conservation, and regulation of the distribution and use of electricity amidst the public health crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Maguindanao electric cooperative has 44,156 connected customers; while LASURECO counts 63,003 subscribers. These two ECs form part of the 54 power customers that PSALM has been catering to in Mindanao – including other power distribution firms, industrial entities as well as private and government corporations.
During these critical times when the country is on its battle against the COVID-19, electricity provision in vital installations such as hospitals will be highly necessary in saving people’s lives.