Power coops lost P4.9B in properties to ‘Yolanda’

Tacloban city, devastated by powerful Typhoon Haiyan, is seen in Leyte province, central Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Electric cooperatives in Luzon and Visayas lost P4.9 billion worth of properties at the height of supertyphoon ‘‘Yolanda’’ (international name: Haiyan), the National Electrification Administration said on Tuesday.

Based on the initial assessments made by the energy agencies, NEA reported that a total of 34 electric cooperatives—of which seven are in Luzon and 27 are in Visayas—suffered losses due to total or partial damage to their distribution lines, substations and sub-transmission lines, when the typhoon pummeled the country on November 8.

Electric co-ops in Leyte reportedly suffered the worst damage, with combined losses amounting to P3.5 billion. These co-ops with their corresponding losses were identified as Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative Inc. (Dorelco), P870 million; Leyte V Electric Cooperative Inc. (Leyeco V), P861.5 million; Capiz Electric Cooperative Inc. (Capelco), P670 million; Leyte II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Leyeco II), P660.9 million; and Leyte III Electric Cooperative Inc. (Leyeco III), P464.98 million.

NEA said it has already made available calamity loans to the affected ECs, and has so far disbursed P371 million to 17 electric co-ops.

As of Tuesday, NEA said that power has been restored in areas covered by the power distribution franchises of the Masbate Electric Cooperative Inc.(Maselco); VMC Electric Cooperative Inc. (Vresco); Bohol I Electric Cooperative Inc.(Boheco I); Bohol II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Boheco II); Cebu II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Cebeco II); Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative Inc. (Soleco); Leyte IV Electric Cooperative Inc. (Leyeco IV); Samar I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Samelco I); and Northern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (Norsamelco).