PSALM raises power capacities of two electric utilities in Mindanao

State-led Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) allotted more power capacities to two rural electric utilities in Mindanao to ensure a steady supply in their service areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement on Monday, the agency tasked to privatize the government’s power assets said it increased the power allocation of Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Lasureco) to 42 megawatts (MW) from 16.8 MW and Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Magelco) to 17.88 MW from 10 MW.

The move was authorized by Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which orders government agencies to implement emergency measures to support the ECQ.

Specifically, PSALM has done this upon the order to conserve and regulate the distribution and use of electricity amid the public health crisis because of COVID-19.

PSALM serves 54 power stakeholders in Mindanao composed of electric cooperatives, industrial entities, and private and government corporations.

Lasureco serves 63,003 connected member-consumers, while Magelco attends to 44,156 member-consumers.

Recently, PSALM has extended the bills payments of distribution utilities, independent power producers (IPP) administrators and universal charge (UC) collecting entities up to 30 days from April 14, which was initially the end of the Luzon-wide lockdown period.

The bills deferment was ordered by the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) which seek the unhampered delivery of energy services amid the quarantine period.

The DoE earlier clarified that power consumers should still pay their dues and obligations to PSALM due before the ECQ on March 15.

The quarantine period was extended until the end of April. — Adam J. Ang