AKLAN – Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco) is helping restore power in typhoon-hit Guimaras and Antique provinces.
Super typhoon “Odette” toppled 114 electric poles in Guimaras, according to the Guimaras Electric Cooperative (GUIMELCO).
Damaged distribution lines in the island-province were valued at P2.620 million.
The deployment of Akelco personnel to Guimaras and Antique is part of the initiative called Task Force Kapatid organized by the Department of Energy (DOE), National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (PHILRECA) to help electric cooperative struggling to cope with the typhoon’s devastation.
In Antique, 410 barangays or 76.35 percent have already been reenergized after suffering from power interruption when “Odette” struck on Dec. 17.
The province, which is being served by the Antique Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANTECO), has 590 barangays.
According to PHILRECA, member-electric cooperatives deployed 23 teams to help restore and rehabilitate distribution systems affected by “Odette” in regions 6, 7, 8, 10, and Caraga.
“Different cooperatives have different circumstances and needs – some affected electric cooperatives need additional manpower only, some need materials or equipment, while some need both – that is why we are trying our best to meet the affected and make an assessment before we start a full deployment. We cannot afford to have mismatched resources,” said Atty. Janeene Depay-Colingan, executive director and general manager of PHILRECA./PN
