Power in Nina-hit areas restored next month

After energizing commercial areas on Dec. 31, the Department of Energy (DOE) is targeting the full restoration of power in areas hit by Typhoon Nina next month.

“Our ground personnel are working round the clock even double time to bring back power supply to affected households in Southern Luzon and the Bicol region,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.

The DOE deployed more than 1,000 personnel to fasttrack repair works, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella told a briefing on Wednesday.

Power had so far been restored in 57 percent of affected areas or 1,003,519 households.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines set a deadline of Jan. 4 to restore power in Albay with the energization of the Tabaco and Malinao load end substation, which serves the Albay Power and Energy Corp.

Meanwhile, repairs on toppled transmission lines are ongoing. A total of 707 structures were damaged along the affected lines.

The National Electrification Administration ( NEA) reported that Camarines Norte had repaired all its facilities. Electric cooperatives in Sorsogon are conducting clearing operations and restoration of their distribution facilities.

Power had been restored in at least 31 percent or 68,668 households in Albay and 50 percent in Quezon.

In Camarines Sur, 296,219 households have yet to be energized, 16,000 in Batangas and 48,000 in Catanduanes.

In off- grid areas, NEA reported that 99 percent of households in Occidental Mindoro had been restored and 68 percent in Oriental Mindoro.

In Marinduque, power in 43,200 households has yet to be restored.