DOE hopes to fully restore power by Christmas eve

MANILA, Philippines - Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla aims full power restoration by Dec. 24 in areas that Typhoon Yolanda had devastated.

 â€œWe are aiming for that,” he said. “We will try but there is no assurance.”

Petilla said the priority will be main towns and municipalities with more residents, but that restoration efforts will continue in all areas until power is fully restored.

“The priority are the distribution lines that cover many barangays,” he said.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the country’s transmission highway operator, has counted 150 damaged transmission towers in Yolanda-wrecked areas.

The restoration of transmission will take about five to six weeks, NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said.

Petilla said no estimate on the cost of the damage has yet been made.

“We have no estimate yet, but the amount is significant because there were 150 transmission towers that were destroyed,” he said.

Petilla said he is eyeing to tap the multi-billion-peso Malampaya fund for the restoration efforts, particularly the repair of transmission facilities.

“The President said I need to make sure it’s legal,” he said.