The initial cost of damage to power distribution facilities of electric cooperatives (ECs)from Typhoon “Tisoy” was estimated at P300 million as of Friday (December 6), the National Electrification Administration (NEA) disclosed.*According to Engr. Federico Villar, Jr., acting director of NEA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (DRRMD), the amount is expected to go higher as manyof the power co-ops have yet to fully examine the extent of the damage to their facilities.
“As we continue to closely monitor the power situation in areas hit by the typhoon, rest assured that the NEA is ready to assist in restoring power and help our severely affected power co-ops get back to normal operations at the soonest possible time,”Villar said.
*Meanwhile, the NEA under the leadership of Administrator Edgardo Masongsong, in partnership with the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc.(PHILRECA), mobilized and deployed contingents to MIMAROPA and Bicol, two of thehardest-hit regions, to bolster ongoing power restoration activities.
Some 26 ECs from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordillera Administrative Region are sending 159 line workers and support personnel with boomtrucks and equipment to assist their fellow power distribution utilities in the typhoon-hit provinces.**On December 4, Eastern Visayas ECs also sent crews to Northern Samar.
They are part of the Task Force Kapatid ‘Tisoy,’ a special unit of line workers strategically organized to quicken the pace of power restoration activities in the aftermath ofdisasters. Based on its power monitoring report as of 3 p.m. Friday, the NEA DRRMD reported an estimated 1,476,719 households in 16 provinces in Luzon and the Visayas covered by 26 ECs are still without electricity.
*Power was fully restored to 51 cities and municipalities affected by power outages due to the typhoon. Electricity service is partially restored to 104 cities and municipalities,while restoration is ongoing for the remaining 150 cities and towns.*Typhoon ‘Tisoy’ (international name ‘Kammuri’) made landfall in Gubat, Sorsogon last Monday (December 2). It officially left the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday(December 5), according to state weather bureau PAGASA. ###