(Taguig City) The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to monitor and address the power and fuel situation in Central Visayas, especially in Bohol and Cebu, in the wake of the 15 October 2013 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
In an emergency meeting on 16 October 2013 at the DOE, officials from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), National Electrification Administration (NEA), National Power Corporation (NPC), and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) discussed the measures being implemented by all energy agencies to restore power and fuel supply in the disaster stricken provinces at the soonest possible time.
As discussed by NEA, the power in the distribution lines in Tagbilaran City, all towns being served by Bohol II Electric Cooperative (BOHECO II), and Cebu province have already been restored yesterday afternoon. In addition, the towns of Loay, Lila, Dimiao, Loboc, Sevilla, Panglao, Tubigon, Clarin, Carmen, Corella, Sikatuna & Baclayon and parts of Dauis and Albuquerque being served by Bohol I Electric Cooperative (BOHECO I) have been energized as of 6 pm of 16 October 2013.
PEMC likewise reported that the WESM has been operating business as usual since there was no market intervention made due to the unfortunate event.
Meanwhile, TransCo indicated that they will also conduct ground assessment of the transmission facilities in the area today.
NGCP reported that the Tagbilaran-Corella 69 kV Line has been restored as of 4:13 PM yesterday. The only remaining transmission facility undergoing restoration is the Corella-Catigbian-Carmen 69 KV line.
NEA further cited that BOHECO I is now working on restoring power in the remaining towns. The towns of San Isidro, Loon, Balilihan, Sagbayan, Bilar, Maribojoc, Antequera, Cortes, Tubugon, Calape, Inabanga, Clarin, and Catigbian meanwhile, are expected to have power within 2 to 3 days, as NGCP is still conducting restoration of the two 69kv poles in the area.
“Hopefully we can address the power situation in these provinces within the day. Worst case scenario would be 2 to 3 days of no power, depending on the assessment of our people on the ground. We still have to continue monitoring the situation there; aftershocks are still imminent danger,” said DOE Undersecretary Raul B. Aguilos.
The DOE is also studying how to deploy small generator sets to temporarily provide power to critical facilities and communication services while assessment of the safety of the buildings and other structures are still being undertaken.
“We are just making final deliberations on how to deploy the 2 to 3 KW capacity gensets to secure power in calamity stricken areas, especially in the hospitals and other offices providing basic services,” Usec. Aguilos said.
In terms of petroleum supply, there were no reports of problems in Cebu facilities. Furthermore, alternate supply source is in Mandaue City in Cebu. However, DOE is still closely coordinating with oil companies that have operations in the provinces affected to assess the impact of the earthquake in their gasoline stations and facilities. Initial reports showed that one oil depot in Tagbilaran is undergoing inspection after suffering a minor damage; while 14 gasoline stations in Bohol were closed due to damages and tsunami scare.
Regular updates and announcements will be available to the public through the DOE’s Facebook account (www.facebook.com/doe.gov.ph), Twitter account (@DOE_PH), and the DOE website (www.doe.gov.ph), as well as in various social networking site accounts of the said energy agencies.