Lawmakers slam DOE over lack of solutions to Visayas power crisis

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives have expressed frustration with the Department of Energy's inability to present concrete measures to tackle the persistent power supply problems affecting the Visayas region. The criticism emerged during a joint hearing conducted by the House committee on energy and the committee on Visayas development, where the energy crisis took center stage.

The Visayas has experienced repeated grid alerts in recent days, with the power system placed under both yellow and red alert status—indicators of critically tight supply conditions. Yellow alerts signal that the power reserve is below required safety margins, while red alerts indicate an even more precarious situation where supply is barely meeting demand.

During the hearing, committee members pressed the DOE for immediate and practical solutions to prevent further service interruptions. The agency was expected to outline steps to stabilize power supply in the region, but failed to produce satisfactory responses according to the lawmakers' assessment.

The Visayas, comprising major population centers and industrial areas, has faced increasing pressure on its power infrastructure. The recurring grid alerts have raised concerns among businesses and residents about the reliability of electricity supply in the region.