Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi issued an advisory on 30 March 2022 to all the distribution utilities (DUs) to fully and effectively implement the Department Circular No. 2018-05-0014, entitled “Creating an Energy Task Force Election to Ensure Adequate and Reliable Energy Supply Before, During, and After the Elections.”

Sec. Cusi enjoins all the DUs to ensure availability of all its substation facilities/distribution lines and assure their continued normal operations, ensure the adequacy of connection and service entrance facilities of polling places and canvassing centers, accelerate completion of corrective/remedial works on critical distribution lines before election day and availability and reliability of embedded generators within their franchise area, if any.

The DUs must ensure availability and security of electric power supply during testing and sealing of Vote Counting Machines by the Commission of Elections scheduled on 2-7 May 2022. On a more specific note, creation of special and emergency line crews provided with necessary logistics support is needed to inspect integrity of distribution line structure and clear distribution lines from obstructions, inspect connection points and check electrical installations of polling places for power breaker and fuse ratings. They should also conduct information dissemination on how to avoid power supply overload/short-circuits during elections and respond to emergency cases affecting power supply within the service areas.

In addition, the DUs were advised to coordinate with National Grid Corporation of the Philippines on the appropriate load shedding to ensure that polling places and local government offices are excluded.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) for its part, has created NEA Power Task Force Election 2022 to ensure that the Electric Cooperatives (ECs) will provide adequate and reliable electric power in their respective coverage areas 7 days before and 7 days after the local and national elections.