Electric co-ops to help restore Palawan service

The National Electrification Administration has tapped 10 cooperatives to help Palawan Electric Co. speed up the rehabilitation of the distribution network in Puerto Princesa and adjacent towns.

NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said in a statement that Task Force Kapatid Paleco was created to ensure the reliability of electricity services on the island. The group will start rehab work on Aug. 16.

Taken onboard were the electric cooperatives in Batangas (Batelec 1 and 2), Laguna, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Cebu (Cebeco 1, 2 and 3).

Masongsong said each cooperative would be deploying six technical personnel equipped with a boom truck and necessary equipment and logistics. These teams will be in Palawan for at least three months.

Rehab works will include the clearing, repair and protection of distribution lines, including the transfer of poles affected by the Department of Public Works and Highways’ road widening projects.

According to Artis Nikki Tortola, NEA deputy administrator for technical services, the decision to send a task force to Palawan came following a meeting on July 23 between NEA and Paleco officials.

Paleco is the lone power distributor of Puerto Princesa City and the town of Aborlan, Narra, Brooke’s Point, Sofronio Espanola, Cuyo, Magsaysay, Quezon, Roxas, Taytay, El Nido, Araceli, San Vicente, Bataraza, Rizal, Balabac, Cagayancillo, Agutaya and Dumaran.