Dumaguete: Officials from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (NORECO II) have provided assurances of stable and uninterrupted power supply during the upcoming May 12 midterm elections.

According to Philippines News Agency, Engineer Felix Vidaure of NGCP announced at a Kapihan sa PIA forum that no manual load shedding is anticipated during the election period. This follows the successful reconductoring of the 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Amlan, which underwent upgrades over four weekends of planned power outages. The enhancements now enable the line to carry a larger load, meeting the increasing demand in Dumaguete City.

Vidaure explained that with the replacement, the line can accommodate an additional load, absorbing the Amlan-Dumaguete 69kV transmission line. The reconductoring addresses the rising power demand in this capital city, previously causing the Amlan 69kV line to reach a critical status.

Despite being a temporary measure, NGCP ensured there will be no power interruptions before, during, or after the elections. This is in line with the Department of Energy's Circular 2018-050014, which mandates the suspension of maintenance and testing works on substation facilities and transmission lines one week before and after election day, unless in extreme emergencies.

Vidaure also disclosed some of NGCP's contingency measures for the elections in Negros, including the deployment of manpower at its substations on election day.

In parallel, NORECO II General Manager Fe Marie Dicen stated that coordination has begun with schools designated as polling places to ensure readiness for vote-counting machines. NORECO II is also collaborating with local electricians, police, and the military for emergency support and facility security.

Additionally, NGCP engineers mentioned that in the event of a power plant failure in Negros, backup power can be sourced from other grids in the Visayas or Mindanao regions.