NEA seeks aid to restore power in typhoon-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines — Electric cooperatives (ECs) are experiencing difficulty in seeking financial assistance to repair facilities damaged by Typhoons Tisoy and Ursula, according to the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

Data from the NEA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department showed that damage to ECs due to Tisoy was pegged at P953.147 million and P448.301 million due to Ursula or a total of P1.4 billion.

NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong had earlier asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the needed funds for the rehabilitation of ECs and restoration of power in areas affected by the typhoons.

“To address the urgency... to rehabilitate and restore electric service in the coverage areas of these ECs, the NEA and its partner ECs are requesting and appealing for financial assistance in the form of subsidy or grant from the national government,” Masongsong said.

He wrote the DBM and  explained that internally generated funds of ECs could not cover repair and rehabilitation works. He said the NEA’s rate structure, which was approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission, has no provision for capital expenditure to repair facilities damaged by calamities.

Masongsong said the NEA could not also tap the Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund since the initial budget of P750 million for its implementation has yet to be allocated.

The NEA said Ursula affected power distribution facilities in Mimaropa, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas.

Of the 30 ECs affected by the typhoon, 16 have resumed normal operations.

The Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc. incurred the biggest damage at P91.834 million. Electricity has been restored in 57.99 percent of households covered by AKELCO.

The Iloilo III Electric Cooperative Inc. and Capiz Electric Cooperative Inc. incurred P76.5 million and P37.1 million in damage, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Sorsogon I Electric Cooperative Inc. incurred damage of P137.5 million; Albay Electric Cooperative Inc., P134. 5 million; Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative Inc., P123.4 million; Sorsogon II Electric Cooperative, P95.9 million, and Northern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc., P88 million.