State-run National Electrification Administration (NEA) on Monday said power has been restored to several provinces in southern and northern Luzon after Typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut) ravaged the country and caused damages.
Of the 22 electric cooperatives affected by Ompong, eight of which have restored full electricity service to all the municipalities within their respective coverage areas, said NEA Deputy Administrator for Technical Services Engr. Artis Nikki Tortola.
These are Pangasinan I Electric Cooperative (Panelco I), Panelco 3, Batanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Batanelco), Quirino Electric Cooperative (Quirelco), Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NEECO II) – Area I, Zambales I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Zameco I), First Laguna Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Fleco), and Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Batelec II). They are now under normal operations.
“Based on the submission of the electric cooperatives, out of the 22 electric cooperatives affected by Typhoon Ompong, eight ECs have actually energized all their municipalities. The rest are either partially restored or the power restoration efforts are ongoing,” Tortola said.
The initial estimated cost of damage to ECs is at P116.367 million based on the data gathered by the NEA as of September 17.
Electricity services are partially restored to areas covered by 14 ECs, namely Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC), Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Iseco), La Union Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Luelco), Cagayan I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Cagelco I), Cagelco II, Isabela I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Iselco I), Iselco II, Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative (Nuvelco), Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Beneco), Mountain Province Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Mopreco), Abra Electric Cooperative (Abreco), Kalinga Apayao Electric Cooperative (Kaelco), Ifugao Electric Cooperative (Ifelco), and Aurora Electric Cooperative (Aurelco).
Tortola said it could take days to a month before power is fully restored to the areas covered by these 14 ECs.
“We have to understand that there are certain precautionary measures the electric cooperatives are following to ensure safety,” he said.
If needed, he said, the Power Restoration Rapid Deployment (PRRD) Task Force will be deployed by the NEA upon request of affected ECs to assist with power restoration in areas impacted by Ompong — the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year.
“Upon final determination of the extent of the typhoon’s damage to EC distribution facilities, this team will come in to help in order to meet the target,” the deputy administrator said.
As early as September 10, Engr. Federico Villar, Jr., acting manager of the NEA Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department, said all ECs were directed to activate their emergency power restoration teams in preparation for the typhoon.
Typhoon Ompong left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday evening (September 15). ###