NPC girds for May polls, forms Task Force Halalan
National Power Corporation (NPC) will create Task Force Halalan to protect its power plants and barges all over the country including its power barge in the town of Estancia, Iloilo.
Dennis S. Gana, manager of NPC's Corporate Communication Division, said the creation of the task force is part of their preparation for the upcoming May polls. The safety of the equipment will ensure enough power supply for the electric cooperatives, he said. This early, Gana assured they have enough power supply for the all the electric cooperatives all over the country.
In Panay Island NPC supplies power to Iloilo Electric Cooperative I, I and III, Aklan Electric Cooperative, Antique Electric Cooperative, Capiz Electric Cooperative, Guimaras Electric Cooperative, and industrial firm Foremost Milling Company in Iloilo City.
Estancia which is 135.5 kilometers north of Iloilo City houses Power Barge 103 moored in Barangay Botongon, Estancia, Iloilo. NPC also operates Panay Diesel Power Plant 1 & 3 in Dingle, Iloilo.
Estancia is being closely watched by the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines because of the intense political rivalry between incumbent mayor Rene Cordero and retired police chief superintendent Restituto Mosqueda.
Gana said they will coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other government agencies tasked to secure government facilities and equipment. Agana said equipment and facilities specially those used in the transmission of power should be protected from destruction by any "unfriendly elements".
The unfriendly elements include armed men, rebel groups and private armies who might resort to violence by disrupting the electoral process by tripping off the power supply during the counting of votes.