By Joann Villanueva | Philippine News Agency
Up to 45 million liters of diesel will be sold by the government to new power providers in off-grid areas until August at P80 per liter to help ensure stable electricity supply in missionary areas amid rising oil prices.
The diesel, which will be sold to power providers served by the National Power Corporation–Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG), is part of the 178.33 million liters purchased by the Philippine National Oil Company–Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) and delivered in March and April.
The initiative aims to strengthen energy resilience in island provinces such as Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Siquijor, among others, according to the Department of Energy (DOE) in a statement on Monday.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the measure as part of the government’s Emergency Energy Security Program under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), which seeks to mitigate the impact of the Middle East crisis.
UPLIFT is a whole-of-government initiative designed to address supply disruptions brought about by the Middle East situation and was implemented following Executive Order No. 110, which declared a State of National Energy Emergency.
Sec. Garin said, “Providing assistance for the diesel requirements of power providers serving missionary areas is a concrete and proactive measure to help protect electricity access and the welfare of thousands of Filipinos living in remote and island communities outside the main grid.
By supporting the fuel requirements of off-grid power providers, we are helping sustain reliable and affordable electricity service for remote and island communities that depend on diesel-fueled generation.”
NPC President and Chief Executive Officer Jericho Nograles said safeguarding power supply in island provinces “is an economic imperative: ensuring that residents can continue to work, study, and access essential services.” (PNA)
