DOE pushes for strict energy safety standards

While administering the oath of office of the new Board Members of the Safety and Health Association of the Philippine Energy Sector Inc. (SHAPES), Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi emphasized the need to ensure the safety and security of all energy-related undertakings whether in the transport of fuel products or in operating and maintaining energy facilities. (Photo: Philippine Information Agency NCR/Facebook)

MANILA—While administering the oath of office of the new Board Members of the Safety and Health Association of the Philippine Energy Sector Inc. (SHAPES), Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi emphasized the need to ensure the safety and security of all energy-related undertakings whether in the transport of fuel products or in operating and maintaining energy facilities.

“We at the DOE put a premium on ensuring the safety of communities and the environment, especially the energy sector workers. Our manpower in the energy sector is our most important asset as we work with the private sector towards an adequate, stable and sustainable energy supply for our country,” said Cusi.

Cusi invited SHAPES to be one of the private sector partners of the DOE in minimizing the dangers or hazards that are inherent in the power sector. The DOE Chief cited as an example the ever-present hazard in transporting and storing petroleum products like gasoline, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas.

For this reason, Cusi said the DOE is always working with all stakeholders to elevate the safety standards and protocols.

Cusi also asked SHAPES to look into the country’s adoption of modular power plants, some of which are being run in other countries by competent Filipino engineers and technicians.

“If it can be done in other countries with Filipinos working on modular nuclear power plants, why not here in the Philippines?” he said.

Cusi also stressed the need to reintroduce a nuclear energy curriculum in the Philippine academic sector.