“We are targeting, sabi ni [Energy] Secretary [Alfonso Cusi] kahit suntok sa buwan, by today Virac ay ma-energize, and within two weeks, the entire Catanduanes will be re-energized. Tinitignan natin ‘yung damage, ilang poles ang kailangan at ilang tao ang kailangan,” Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella told reporters.
(“We are targeting to restore power in Virac today, and within the next two weeks, we are targeting the entire Catanduanes will be re-energized. We are assessing the extent of the damage to determine how many replacement poles and personnel are needed.")
The province went dark on Christmas Day after it was directly hit by Typhoon "Nina" (international name: Nock-Ten).
Restoration efforts are also ongoing in several areas in the Bicol region, particularly in commercial areas of Naga City, Camarines Norte, and Albay, Fuentebella said.
"Before 2017 comes in, all commercial areas we are targeting na ma-restore na ang kuryente," he said.
("We are targeting to restore power in all commercial areas before 2017.")
The energy official added that the Department of Energy (DOE) is coordinating with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), National Electrification Administration, and National Power Corporation (Napocor) to expedite power restoration.
DOE is also ensuring that energy products such as petroleum and gas are sufficient in typhoon-hit areas, Fuentebella said. A price freeze on basic commodities, including LPG products, have been implemented in affected areas.
Typhoon Nina made landfall in the eastern island province of Catanduanes at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, bringing gusts of 235 kilometers an hour, the state weather service said.
Strong winds brought by the typhoon toppled high-voltage power transmission towers and power lines, causing widespread power outages.
NGCP said a total of 34 230kV towers were toppled while another 581 69kV poles, which connect substations to power cooperatives, were either toppled or broken.
More than 500 personnel have been deployed to restore power in the affected areas, NGCP said.
The Naga-Daraga and Sorsogon substations are expected to come online before the end of the year while all lines located in the Batangas and Cavite areas have been restored, it added.
-- Jon Carlos Rodriguez, ABS-CBN News
source: news.abs-cbn.com
