In a move to safeguard energy infrastructure, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) is spearheading a series of regional workshops aimed at strengthening the disaster resiliency of electric cooperatives (ECs) across the Philippines.
The NEA, through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (DRRMD), has launched six legs of three-day summits to help ECs formulate and update their Emergency Response Plans, Vulnerability and Risk Assessments, Mitigation Plans, and Resiliency Compliance Plans. These workshops are not only updating critical protocols but also fostering collaboration across regions to ensure a more unified response to future emergencies.
“We are united by a common purpose — to strengthen the foundation of electric cooperatives across the country and to ensure their ability to respond effectively to emergencies, mitigate risks, and enhance their overall resilience in the face of natural disasters and unforeseen events,” said NEA-DRRMD Acting Department Manager Engr. Eric Campoto.
The initiative kicked off on February 19-21, 2025, at the NEA auditorium in Quezon City, where Southern Luzon ECs participated in the inaugural session. This was followed by a second leg from March 4-6 in Mexico, Pampanga, hosted by Pampanga I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PELCO I), which brought together ECs from Central Luzon.
The most recent workshop, held from March 18-20 in Baguio City, gathered Northern Luzon ECs, including participants from the Romblon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ROMELCO) and the Sorsogon II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SORECO II). Next, the workshops head to the Visayas region in Toledo City, Cebu, from March 25-27, 2025.
The final legs will wrap up in Mindanao, with sessions scheduled in Butuan City from April 1-3 and at the Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DASURECO) headquarters in Digos City from April 22-24, 2025.
The workshops are not only addressing immediate disaster response but also promoting long-term resilience through proactive planning and risk mitigation. According to Campoto, these sessions are “critical steps towards shaping the future of our energy infrastructure and the safety and well-being of the communities we serve.”
As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, the NEA’s commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness is a proactive step toward securing uninterrupted power supply and protecting vulnerable communities.
What do you think about these efforts to strengthen disaster resiliency in the energy sector? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
There are no comments
Add yours