Amid the continued onslaught of the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, intensified by Tropical Depression “Dante,” Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon S. Garin convened an emergency meeting of the Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) late this afternoon to coordinate the energy sector’s response and help sustain energy services throughout the ongoing calamity.
Secretary Garin emphasized the importance of maintaining vigilance and swift action, highlighting the energy sector’s crucial role in supporting essential government functions and emergency response efforts.
Severe flooding and landslides have impacted multiple provinces across Luzon and the Visayas, prompting Malacañang to suspend classes and government work in several regions, including Metro Manila, for 23 July 2025. PAGASA continues to issue heavy rainfall warnings due to the persistent monsoon rains.
As part of DOE’s coordinated response, Secretary Garin directed the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to closely monitor and validate the power status of electric cooperatives (ECs) in affected areas. Off-grid areas were also checked and are continuously being monitored, including small communities that may face limited access to emergency services. She also instructed the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) to prioritize the restoration and maintenance of power in critical facilities, particularly hospitals and evacuation centers, while exploring contingency measures to minimize service disruptions.
During the meeting, Department of Health (DOH) Director Lester Tan identified four hospitals in the National Capital Region as vulnerable to severe flooding: San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon, Tondo Medical Center in Manila, Valenzuela Medical Center, and Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina. Secretary Garin instructed Meralco to develop long-term flood-resilient solutions for these high-risk health facilities.
In response to reports that the Roman Tantiongco Memorial Elementary School in Sitio Wawa, Barangay San Juan, Morong, Rizal—currently serving as an evacuation center—needed a generator set, Secretary Garin directly instructed Meralco to coordinate and provide the necessary power supply to ensure the welfare and safety of evacuees.
To support uninterrupted fuel delivery for aviation operations and other essential sectors, Secretary Garin also requested the assistance of the Toll Regulatory Board to ensure that tollways accommodate unhampered transport of fuel tankers delivering products from Subic & Bataan to Metro Manila via tollways such as the North Luzon Expressway. This initiative aims to mitigate delays in aviation fuel delivery to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other critical sites.
The DOE’s Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB), in coordination with Meralco, has been directed to conduct site inspections of the four high-risk hospitals and provide technical assistance to improve their flood-related electrical resiliency.
To uphold transparency and safety, DOE Undersecretary and TFER Chairperson Felix William B. Fuentebella reminded National Power Corporation’s dam operations unit to prepare proof of its compliance with existing dam spilling protocols, including but not limited to visual documentation that upholds safety thresholds.
Meralco and NEA were also urged to intensify public advisories on electrical safety during flooding through all available media platforms.
The DOE, under Secretary Garin’s leadership of TFER, remains focused on the immediate needs of partner agencies, such as the DOTr, DOH, DSWD, and DILG, while maintaining vigilance in upholding energy security, safety, and service continuity.
The DOE continues to urge the public to remain vigilant, follow safety protocols, and promptly report energy-related issues to their local providers or the DOE.
