Yolanda-hit power coops get new boom trucks

MANILA, Philippines – Four electric cooperatives heavily devastated by Typhoon Yolanda in late 2013 have received 14 units of brand-new boom trucks from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as part of its comprehensive grant aid program for rehabilitation and recovery from the typhoon.

In a statement, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said the turnover of the units would aid in the speedy maintenance and rehabilitation works as well as disaster preparedness of the power distributors.

NEA administrator Edita Bueno said the equipment were given to Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative Inc. (Dorelco), Leyte II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Leyeco II), Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (Esamelco), and Samar II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Samelco II) to capacitate these coops in their disaster risk reduction and management efforts.

Dorelco, Leyeco II, and Esamelco each received four units of boom trucks, while two were granted to Samelco II.

“The equipment will aid the cooperatives especially in repair and rehabilitation works, thereby enhancing their response to emergency events and future calamities,” she said.

 “The boom truck donation cements the commitment of Japan and the Philippines to help each other in times of need. It is my hope that through this grant, our country will have a stronger impetus to advance its disaster management procedures and protocols to help mitigate damages in the aftermath of any emergency situation,” Bueno added.

The boom truck donation is just one of the sub-projects under the comprehensive grant aid which also covers provision of hazard maps for reconstruction planning, support to evacuation planning, and quick impact projects focused on livelihood support, JICA’s chief representative Noriaki Niwa said.

He also noted the donation also symbolizes Japan’s commitment to be a constant ally of the Philippines and help the country build back better.

The grant, he said, is their way of giving back after Japan received an outpouring of support from the international community following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.

“Now, it is our turn to give back and share our experience on disaster risk reduction and management… It is our hope that through the provision of the boom trucks and operations training, future emergency work can be expedited,” Niwa said.