Typhoon-hit electric co-ops suffer P4.92B infra damage

MANILA, Philippines - Super Typhoon Yolanda has left 34 electric cooperatives (ECs) in 20 provinces with an estimated loss of P4.92 billion due to total or partial damage in distribution lines, substations and sub-transmission lines, data from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) showed.

NEA, the agency tasked to oversee the operations of the country’s electric cooperatives, said ECs in Leyte suffered the most damage.

The Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Dorelco) incurred an estimated loss of P870 million while Leyte V Electric Cooperative Inc.’s (Leyeco V) estimated loss is at P861.5 million.

Capiz Electric Cooperative Inc. (Capelco) suffered an estimated loss of P670 million while Leyte II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Leyeco II) puts its damage at P660.9 million. Leyte III Electric Cooperative Inc. (Leyeco III), meanwhile, incurred a damage of P464.98 million.

To help address the situation, NEA is providing calamity loans to the affected cooperatives. To date, P371 million has already been released to 17 ECs, NEA said.

Furthermore, NEA and 34 ECs in Luzon and Mindanao have deployed 226 engineers and linemen to assist affected cooperatives in the Visayas in their power restoration efforts.

NEA sent the teams to Capiz, Iloilo, Aklan, Leyte, Biliran and Eastern Samar.

The ECs voluntarily offered their manpower assistance for the task force. Participating ECs use their own funds for their personnel and lend their equipment for free to the EC beneficiary, NEA said.

To date, power has been restored to all towns in the coverage areas of Maselco (Masbate Electric Cooperative), Vresco (VMC Electric Cooperative), Boheco (Bohol Electric Cooperative) I and II, Cebeco II (Cebu Electric Cooperative), Soleco (Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative Inc.), Leyeco IV (Leyte IV Electric Cooperative) Samelco (Samar Electric Cooperative Inc.) and Norsamelco (Northern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (Norsamelco), data from NEA showed.

Two towns in Bileco (Biliran Electric Cooperative), 13 towns in Samelco II (Samar Electric Cooperative Inc.), and nine towns in (Esamelco) Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative are ready to receive power when transmission is restored. Complete power restoration at the town level is targeted by Dec. 24, 2013, according to NEA.