Super El Niño may leave Filipinos sweating over power bills

National

ENERGY Secretary Sharon Garin warned of possible power interruptions and higher electricity bills due to the looming “super El Niño”.

Garin said prolonged extreme heat could strain coal-fired power plants, while dwindling water resources could affect hydroelectric facilities.

“I don’t want to be a doomsayer, but I just want to be very transparent about this,” Garin said on the sidelines of the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, as quoted by Philstar.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is working with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to monitor the electricity spot market and guard against potential abuse by industry players.

Electricity spot prices in the Visayas and Mindanao surged to nearly P20 per kilowatt-hour in August before the ERC intervened to mitigate the rates. The potential strain comes as the Philippines continues to grapple with an energy emergency linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

Garin urged consumers to conserve electricity and adopt energy-saving measures as the country prepares for the effects of El Niño.

The climate phenomenon has already affected 388,375 people nationwide, with 106 cities and municipalities in five regions placed under a state of calamity, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The affected areas include 66 localities in Cagayan Valley, 23 in Caraga, 12 in Bicol and one in Soccsksargen.

Agricultural damage has exceeded P5.4 billion, led by Cagayan Valley with more than P4.9 billion in losses.

The Davao Region recorded over P410 million in agricultural damage, followed by Bicol with P37.4 million, Caraga with P22 million, Calabarzon with P19.7 million and Soccsksargen with P12.5 million.

As of October 2, 39 wild, forest or mountain fires had been reported in various areas in Caraga. More than P39 million in food and non-food assistance has been provided to 24,618 families, the NDRRMC said.

The Philippine National Police has also taken measures to protect personnel from extreme heat. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered commanders to provide drinking water and protective gear and consider rotational shifts to limit exposure.

The Department of Health is distributing El Niño toolkits to local government units. Health Secretary Edwin Mercado said heat stroke, dengue, cholera and typhoid are on an upward trend during El Niño.(MyTVCebu)