Three ALSONS power plants in Mindanao heighten alert for May 13 elections

By Richel V. Umel

ILIGAN CITY - Alsons Power - the Alcantara Group’s power project development and power generation management business unit has announced that all Three (3) of its operating power facilities in Mindanao will be on full alert and ready to respond to any power related contingency during the crucial period starting at 12:00 am of Sunday May 12- the day before the May 13Elections, until 12:00 am of Tuesday May 14.

Alsons Power Group Vice President for Operations Edgar D. Sevilles has issued a directive to the plant managers of the revamped Mapalad Power Corporation (MPC) Plant in Iligan City - that began re-operating on a ramp up basis last April 19; the 55 Mega Watt (MW) Southern Philippines Power Corporation (SPPC) Plant in Alabel, Sarangani; and the 100 MW Western Mindanao Power Corporation (WMPC) Plant in Zamboanga City to ensure that the facilities are able to provide a steady and uninterrupted supply of power to the Mindanao grid within this period.

All leaves for plant personnel have been cancelled and all essential operations personnel will be on duty during this time. Sevilles added that they will initiate procedures to make certain that supply of fuel is adequate and all engines are on “hot” mode and ready to address any contingency related to the power supply within the areas of coverage of the 3 power plants.

The Alsons power plants will be in constant coordination with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGC), the National Power Corporation (NPC), and the Department of Energy.