Petilla assures power back in Eastern Samar by Christmas Eve

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy (DOE) assured that electricity supply in Eastern Samar will be restored before Christmas Eve.

In an interview with radio dzMM, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said Eastern Samar is one of the most affected areas in terms of electricity supply due to typhoon "Ruby."

Eastern Samar was still reeling from the devastation of Super Typhoon Yolanda when “Ruby” struck the province.

"Ito ang medyo talagang pinipilit namin, Eastern Samar," Petilla said.

Around 1,000 electric posts crashed when the typhoon struck the area.

The DOE is seeking to restore electricity supply in Eastern Samar, as well as in Calbayog and Catbalogan, Samar, before December 24.

Petilla noted that power in some areas might be restored before New Year.

"So far, ang lumalabas dito based on the data that I have at sa accounting ng mga poste, materyales at lahat-lahat, it looks like karamihan ng backbone natin, 'yung town proper mismo, mabibigyan natin ng kuryente with the exception 'yung mga nasa norte na talaga, 'yung Mapanas (Northern Samar) at Arteche (E. Samar) area," Petilla said.

The Energy secretary said that power will be restored at least in the town proper before the year ends.

Electricity has already been restored in some areas in Leyte, while Tacloban City might recover its power supply this week, Petilla added.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had reported that more than 2 million people were affected by Typhoon "Ruby."

Eleven people have also been confirmed killed at the height of the cyclone.