(Taguig City). As Typhoon Nina exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the entire energy sector, spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE), has mobilized various assets for the quick restoration of power facilities in Southern Luzon and parts of Visayas downed by superTyphoon Nina.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi instructed immediate restoration of power facilities using “bayanihan” or Task Force Kapatid in the typhoon-hit area as the priority of DOE and the energy family.

“The DOE commits to mobilize as many technical personnel and transport the necessary equipment and facilities to attain 100% energization of main commercial areas with hospitals, vital government offices, banks and other necessary communal facilities before New Year,” emphasized Sec. Cusi.

He added that priority towns include: Daet in Camarines Norte; Naga City, Goa, Tinambac, Iriga City, Libmanan in Camarines Sur; Ligao City, Legazpi City and Tabaco City in Albay; Sorsogon City in Sorsogon; Boac in Marinduque; and, Calapan in Mindoro Oriental.

On transmission system, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) deployed around 500 line personnel coming from North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Operations and Maintenance Group to Bicol Region and targeted the restoration of lines and facilities by New Year’s Eve (31 December 2016).

Of the 38 transmission facilities, two substations and 18 priority transmission lines were restored, while the remaining transmission lines (16), substation (1) and switch-yard (1) are still undergoing rehabilitation.

On the distribution side, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported that a total of 400 men from 40 electric cooperatives around the country have been mobilized to restore the distribution lines in the affected regions.

Moreover, the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) provided and deployed on 28 December several personnel and equipment to augment restoration efforts in Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur and Oriental Mindoro.

Sec. Cusi relayed that “MERALCO brought with them several mechanized equipment to be used in the restoration, so we can restore parts of Catanduanes, the hardest hit, before the New Year comes in.”

In Camarines Sur, the Camarines Sur II Electric Cooperative Inc. (CASURECO II) already energized Naga City and parts of Milaor, Minalabac and Pili on evening of 26 December followed by Calabanga on night of 28 December 28.

In Albay, the Albay Power and Energy Corporation (APEC) reported yesterday (29 Dec.) that the substations in Bitano, Washington, Ligao & Polangui are ready to receive power coming from the NGCP Daraga substation thru the 69kV lines. Thus, towns ready to receive power from the 4 substations are Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City and Polangui.

For Marinduque, an off-grid area, the National Power Corp. (NPC) reported yesterday the available capacities under its Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) Bantad DPP - 1.8 megawatts (MW), Rental - 4.0 MW and PB120 - 3.9 MW with a total capacity of 9.7 MW. Moreover, the portions of Boac Poblacion was energized late afternoon yesterday, while the rehabilitation of lines going to Gasan and  Mogpog (Feeder 1) likewise started on the yesterday.

In Quezon Province, the Quezon I Electric Cooperative Inc. (QUEZELCO I) reported on 28 Dec. that the level of power restoration covering 393 barangays stood at 49%.

In Mindoro Oriental, the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO) already energized 19 towns and 1 city. Specifically, 32 out of 58 barangays in Calapan City was energized.

Earlier, Secretary Cusi asked NGCP and NEA to initiate contingency measures for Typhoon Nina and to ensure easy mobilization of assets for the recovery and rehabilitation of affected areas.

“More than a thousand personnel from both private and public institutions have been mobilized to ensure the return of power supply before New Year’s Eve, so that our affected kababayans would have brighter hopes in the coming of the year,” Cusi concluded.