THE Department of Energy (DOE) on Monday said it is allowing the sale of government-purchased diesel to ensure continuous supply of electricity in off-grid communities served by the National Power Corp.–Small Power Utilities Group (NPCSPUG).
The initiative follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval of the price of diesel at P80 per liter, which was secured by the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC), Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.
Under the government’s Emergency Energy Security Program, the PNOC-EC will sell up to 45 million liters of diesel over the next three months to new power providers (NPPs) and microgrid system providers (MGSPs) operating in missionary areas, especially those in the mountains and in island communities.
The arrangement will help sustain generation operations, prevent power interruptions, and cushion consumers from sharp increases in electricity rates.
“Providing assistance for the diesel requirements of power providers serving missionary areas is a concrete and proactive measure to help protect electricity access and the welfare of thousands of Filipinos living in remote and island communities outside the main grid,” Garin said.
“Safeguarding power supply in these communities is an economic imperative. This is to help ensure that residents can continue to work, study, and access essential services,” NPC President and CEO Jericho Nograles said.
As of April 27, a total of 178.33 million liters of diesel had been added to the national fuel buffer stock under its Emergency Energy Security Program, which was designed to strengthen the country’s supply amid continued volatility in the global oil market, the DOE said.
The agency previously said that four diesel shipments from Japan had been delivered to Batangas, Subic and Davao City.
The first one arrived in Batangas on March 26 with 142,531.23 barrels, or 22.66 million liters, of diesel. The second, carrying 329,650 barrels, or 52.41 million liters, docked in Subic. The third shipment of 319,576 barrels, or 50.81 million liters, also arrived in Subic, while the fourth one, with 329,918 barrels, or 52.45 million liters, arrived in Davao City.
