Power in 633 ‘Odette’-hit towns fully restored

ELECTRICITY IN 633 out of 939 municipalities affected by Typhoon Odette has been fully restored as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the Situation Report No. 9 of the Department of Energy (DOE) issued Wednesday afternoon.   

The DOE said based on the National Electrification Administration’s (NEA) Power Monitoring Report, the 633 municipalities where electricity has been fully restored comprised 78 percent of towns that were hit by “Odette”.

Electricity in 69 municipalities was partially restored, while 207 more towns have ongoing power restoration.

“(T)here are seven electric cooperatives (ECs) with total power interruption and 12 ECs with partial power interruption,” the DOE bulletin added.

The ECs with total power interruption are Bohol I and II Electric Cooperatives, Cebu III Electric Cooperative, Leyte IV Electric Cooperative, Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative, Camiguin Electric Cooperative, and Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative.

Those with partial power interruption are Palawan Electric Cooperative, Northern Negros Electric Cooperative, Guimaras Electric Cooperative, Cebu II Electric Cooperative, Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative, Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative, Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative, Leyte V Electric Cooperative, Misamis Oriental Electric Cooperative, Surigao del Sur I and II Electric Cooperatives, and Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative.

The latest estimate on the damage brought about by the typhoon is at more than PHP373 million.

DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the amount is expected to be higher as they continue to aggregate damage reports.

Meanwhile, the DOE said the Task Force Energy Resiliency teams are prioritizing power restoration in vital facilities, such as hospitals, banks, and other commercial establishments, as well as the provision of petroleum products in ‘Odette’-hit areas.

The teams also coordinated with the Department of Transportation for the timely delivery of petroleum products and finalized the list of provinces for exemption on ethanol blends to address petroleum supply issues.

Oil companies were also reminded to ensure the implementation of reasonable prices, whether bulk or at gasoline stations, as well as the designation of police personnel to gasoline stations to help ensure security and discipline in implementing priority lanes for fuel supply. ( Kris Crismundo)