Petilla beats deadline in restoring power in Davao Or.

MANILA, Philippines - Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla managed to res-tore electricity in areas in Mindanao hit by Typhoon Pablo in 2012 within his self-imposed 45-day deadline, Malacañang said yesterday.

Last Feb. 24, President Aquino warned Cabinet members to deliver or resign when he went to the Pablo-hit areas for the celebration of the 28th EDSA People Power Revolution and found out that some affected communities still did not have electricity.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the latest report of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) showed that power had been restored in all of the remaining 25 remote barangays in the municipalities of Cateel, Boston and Baganga in Davao Oriental, which were affected by Pablo.

“Based on the NEA report, the construction of the line started last March 3 and was completed on March 29,” Coloma said.

Coloma said between Feb. 24 and yesterday, it was obvious that Petilla was able to work within his own deadline.

“That is my understanding,” he said.

Petilla has been under fire over the country’s power problems and Sen. Sergio Osmeña III even advised the President to fire him, saying Petilla was focused supposedly on politics rather than on his job in the Cabinet.

But Petilla said most of the power issues hounding the Aquino administration were there before he came in. He had volunteered to resign when he failed to restore power in areas struck by Super Typhoon Yolanda but Aquino did not accept it.

Upon learning about the lack of power in Pablo-stricken areas, Aquino said he checked on Petilla and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad but was given the runaround. He said his officials were expected to perform their duties and could submit their resignation if they would not.

Petilla promised to restore power in the Pablo-hit areas within 45 days.