HALF a million consumers are still without power supply, weeks after consecutive typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan” battered various parts of the country, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
Energy Undersecretary Mario Marasigan said most of the affected areas are in Negros Island, Central Visayas, and in various areas in Luzon, from Ilocos to the Bicol Region.
He cited difficulties in completing power restoration in Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
“Ang nahihirapan po tayo kagaya po sa Catanduanes is ‘yun pong mismong marating natin ‘yung mga bulubunduking mga consumer natin, ganun din po sa Aurora at Mountain Province,” he noted.
The energy official vowed to fast-track the restoration efforts as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered to restore electricity in all affected households before Christmas.
However, Marasigan said they “cannot commit” a full power service restoration, especially in hard-hit and far-flung areas.
“Ayaw naman po natin na maging madilim ang ating pagdiriwang ng Pasko, ngunit hindi po namin maii-commit na lahat po ay mabibigyan ng serbisyo ng kuryente lalong-lalo na po doon sa mga areas na ‘yun pong mismong mga kabahayan o ‘yung ating mismong konsumidor ang naapektuhan,” Marasigan said in an interview with state-run media PTV.
“Bukod po rito, may mga areas pa po na hindi pa rin nararating ng ating serbisyo ng kuryente sa kadahilanan pong inaccessible pa po ang mga areas na mga ito,” he added.
A total of 71 electric cooperatives consisting of 73 teams and almost 500 crew from various parts of the country have been deployed for the restoration efforts under the “Task Force Kapatid”, according to Marasigan.
Marasigan said regional hubs of the National Electrification Administration have been of great help in providing materials needed for restoration.
Critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, local government facilities, water supply, and commercial centers that host automated teller machines, have also been prioritized in power restoration.
Amid this, the energy official assured regular monitoring of electric services for the rest of the country.
“Patuloy po ang pagmo-monitor ng DOE sa kalagayan po ng ating electricity services kung saan po ay regular, araw-araw nating mino-monitor ang mga power facilities, ang transmission lines lalong-lalo na po’t nagkaroon po tayo ng yellow alert po sa Visayas,” Marasigan said.
He added: “Kaya’t bawat planta po ng kuryente ay kinakailangan pong kausapin natin,mag-report sila para malaman natin kung kailan po sila makakabalik sa serbisyo.” (ABS-CBN News)
