DOE focuses on full electricity restoration in typhoon-hit areas

The Department of Energy (DOE) and its partners in the power sector are prioritizing the restoration of electricity in areas of Southern Luzon and Eastern Mindanao which were rendered without power by a series of typhoons.

In a statement, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said his office’s priority was to ensure that the restoration of power in typhoon-affected areas was on schedule.

“We have asked rehabilitation personnel to work double-time, especially in areas where power facilities were badly damaged,” he said.

The latest report of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) noted that all transmission lines affected by Tropical Depression “Auring” in the Caraga region were completely restored.

NGCP said all transmission facilities affected by Typhoon “Nina” had been restored as well.

Distribution utilities in Dinagat Islands, Siargao, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur affected by Tropical Depression Auring are now in the process of bringing back electricity services after NGCP worked to normalize transmission services in the said areas.

The National Electrification Administration also reported that 80.69 percent or 1,368,040 of the households affected by Typhoon Nina had already been re-energized as of Thursday.

Earlier this week, electricity was restored in Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon NEA said.

A total of 322,818 households are undergoing rehabilitation in the following areas with the following level of restoration: Quezon (92.89 percent), Oriental Mindoro (98.44 percent), Marinduque (28.79 percent), Camarines Sur (47.68 percent), Albay (64.20 percent) and Catanduanes (31.65 percent).

“We understand and are one with our kababayans in the remaining areas still without power,” Cusi said.