In Northern Cebu, Typhoon damage minimal, power restored already

CEBU, Philippines - Unlike when super typhoon Yolanda struck the same areas last year, major power lines in northern Cebu towns that Typhoon Ruby battered last week only suffered minimal damage electricity is already back.

Antonio Labios, Department of Energy-7 director, said that lateral lines towards some residential areas were expected to be restored by yesterday.

During the AGIO-7 Forum yesterday, Labios said 47 electrical poles that were toppled by typhoon Ruby have been re-erected already.

The Visayan Electric Company, on the other hand, said its franchise area merely suffered minimal damage.

VECO spokesperson Theresa Sederiosa said their record shows only four of their electrical poles collapsed while three were leaning after the typhoon, resulting to a brownout within their franchise area.

“But after the brownouts power was restored within the day. Dali ra nisiga og balik,” said Sederiosa, referring to a brief power failure that resulted to a brownout, citing the brownout last December 7.

Documents showed that aside from damaged poles, VECO also suffered a broken primary line/riser, loose wire connection, and broken service wire, among others.

Meanwhile, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, said in a statement that it has 33 transmission lines in South Luzon (eight) and in the Visayas (25) that were affected by typhoon Ruby. 

NGCP has 13 other lines mostly in the Visayas that were affected by the typhoon but are already restored.

“System operator and power transmission service provider NGCP continues to monitor and inspect transmission lines and other facilities affected by the passage of Typhoon Ruby,” NGCP said, in a statement.

NGCP said necessary preparations and precautions have been implemented to minimize the typhoon’s impact on operations and facilities.

They include ensuring the availability of materials and supplies necessary for the repair of damage to facilities, as well as the positioning of line crews in strategic areas to facilitate immediate restoration work. — (FREEMAN)