Group urges DOE to reconvene energy task force amid election, dry season

THE Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (Cera) is urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to reconvene its Energy Task Force Election (ETFE) and expand its membership to include representatives from the private sector. This move aims to bolster transparency and ensure a reliable power supply during the upcoming elections in May. Currently composed of the DOE, Commission on Elections, and the Department of National Defense, the task force plays a critical role in safeguarding electoral integrity through energy stability.

In a statement, Cera convenor Nathaniel Chua is calling for the inclusion of key private sector stakeholders—such as the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and Citizens Involvement and Maturation in People’s Empowerment and Liberation—to strengthen collaborative efforts in maintaining uninterrupted power throughout the election period. This call comes after alarms over potential red alert power statuses as the country heads into the dry season and the critical May elections. The warning follows a recent yellow alert issued by the National Grid Corp.



of the Philippines (NGCP) due to the shutdown of seven baseload coal power plants, resulting in a power shortage of 2,495 megawatts in the Luzon grid. Although the Visayas grid remains relatively stable, concerns are mounting as the region shows signs of increased dependence on power imports from Luzon and Mindanao. NGCP cautions that continued power supply issues may lead to red alert classifications, posing serious risks to the country’s recovering economy and political stability.

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities emphasized that the combination of extreme heat and the unplanned nature of most outages could further destabilize the electricity supply. With economic activity rising due to increased investor confidence and improved political conditions, power reliability is becoming more critical than ever. Moreover, Chua said Cera is urging the Cebu Province to establish a Tripartite Industrial Peace Council to maintain industrial harmony in key sectors like energy.

The call comes as local labor group Partido Manggagawa threatens to launch a strike at the Kepco facility in Naga City—an action that could severely disrupt Cebu’s power supply. “With Cebu’s power reliability at risk, we urge immediate government action to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and protect against power-related disruptions,” Cera said in a statement. The group also emphasized the broader economic stakes, noting Cebu’s vital role in national growth and the need for consistent representation of consumer voices in energy planning.

Any power failure during the elections, Cera warned, could cast doubt on vote validity and lead to public suspicion of fraud. Ensuring uninterrupted electricity service is therefore key to maintaining public trust, business continuity and democratic stability. / KOC.