Manila, July 22 -- The Department of Energy (DOE) has ordered the prioritization of power restoration and maintenance activities in critical areas such as hospitals and evacuation centers as Tropical Depression Dante intensifies rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat).

During the meeting of the inter-agency Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) Tuesday afternoon, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin directed the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to help ensure power supply, especially in four hospitals identified as vulnerable to severe flooding.

These hospitals were identified as the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon, Tondo Medical Center in Manila, Valenzuela Medical Center, and Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in...