Power restoration in typhoon-hit areas may take one month

MANILA, Philippines — Power restoration in several provinces in northern Luzon could take up to a month as the cost of damage to power cooperatives climbed to P116 million.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has pegged the initial estimated cost of damage to power coops at P116.367 million based on the data gathered.

The agency said of the 22 electric cooperatives affected by Typhoon Ompong, eight have restored full electricity service to all the municipalities within their respective coverage areas.

“Based on the submission of the electric cooperatives, out of the 22 electric cooperatives (ECs) affected by Typhoon Ompong, eight ECs have actually energized all their municipalities. The rest are either partially restored or the power restoration efforts are ongoing,” NEA deputy administrator for technical services Artis Nikki Tortola said.

Meanwhile, electricity services are partially restored to areas covered by 14 ECs, namely Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative Inc., Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative Inc., La Union Electric Cooperative Inc., Cagayan I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Cagelco I), Cagelco II, Isabela I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Iselco I), Iselco II, Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative, Benguet Electric Cooperative Inc., Mountain Province Electric Cooperative Inc., Abra Electric Cooperative, Kalinga Apayao Electric Cooperative, Ifugao Electric Cooperative and Aurora Electric Cooperative.

Tortola said it could take days to a month before power is fully restored to the areas covered by these 14 ECs.