DOE Sec. Cusi Reiterates Call for Energy Sector Service Continuity Amid the MECQ
TAGUIG CITY – Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi reiterated his call for all energy industry stakeholders to ensure service continuity amid the reimposition of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).
Last week, President Rodrigo R. Duterte again placed the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under the MECQ from 4 to 18 August 2020.
“Following the guidelines of the MECQ, we have been closely coordinating with our industry players and the concerned government agencies to see to it that the delivery of energy goods and services remain unhampered,” Secretary Cusi said during the virtual press conference held on 6 August 2020.
According to the Energy Chief, he wrote 27 energy organizations and the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) last Wednesday (5 August) to reemphasize earlier calls to transact with the DOE virtually, and to assure them that the Department has established all necessary work schemes to ensure continued services throughout the MECQ period.
The Secretary also said that in his letter, he encouraged energy stakeholders to inform him, through his office, "should there be any delays encountered in the processing of energy requirements” so the matter could be resolved.
“We also issued an advisory to our energy stakeholders providing them guidance on the types of valid IDs that would facilitate work-related movement, and to remind them to strictly observe minimum public health standards at all times,” he added.
Secretary Cusi clarified that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) identification cards and the Department of Information and Communications Technology-issued Rapid Passes will remain valid in whatever form of community quarantine, unless recalled by the issuing agency, or terminated by the IATF.
“It is important for all of us, regardless of sector, to work together as one right now. Cooperation is needed for us to overcome the recession and the pandemic,” he concluded.
