Manila: Eight electric cooperatives in the Visayas experienced a total power outage on Tuesday morning due to Typhoon Tino, also known as Kalmaegi, but the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has ensured that critical institutions like hospitals will receive fuel assistance for their generators.
According to Philippines News Agency, the NEA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (NEA-DRRMD) identified the affected cooperatives as Bantayan Electric Cooperative (BANELCO), Biliran Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BILECO), Cebu II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CEBECO 2), CEBECO 3, Camotes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CELCO), Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ESAMELCO), Leyte II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LEYECO 2), and LEYECO 3. The NEA-DRRMD is closely monitoring 57 electric cooperatives in 35 provinces within 10 regions. At least 18 cooperatives remain under normal conditions, while 15 have experienced partial outages.
The press release also noted that some cooperatives have not yet submitted status updates due to connectivity issues in parts of Visayas and Mindanao. Preliminary reports from NEA-DRRMD indicate that 423 out of 681 municipalities, or approximately 62.11 percent of the areas served by power cooperatives, are still waiting for electricity reconnection. This affects around 3,016 villages and approximately 1,073,037 customers.
NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda reported that power restoration efforts are underway in the affected areas. Cooperatives in Dinagat Islands and Siargao experienced power interruptions on Monday night but saw improvements by Tuesday morning. Almeda has authorized the cooperatives to provide fuel assistance for hospital generators in the affected areas. He expressed confidence in the cooperatives’ ability to manage the restoration process, emphasizing the importance of maintaining power for critical services like hospitals.
Meanwhile, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that power has been restored along the Paranas-Quinapondan 69kV Line. However, 19 transmission lines in Visayas and Mindanao remain unavailable due to the typhoon. The affected lines include Maasin-Baybay, Ormoc-San Isidro, Maasin-San Isidro, Calongcalong-Asturias, Compostela-Consolacion, Compostela-Carmen, Nabas-Culasi-Bugasong, Amlan-San Carlos, Bacolod-San Enrique, and Bacolod-Silay-Victorias 69kV lines.
The NGCP also reported that seven 138kV and two 230kV lines are currently down, though specific details were not provided. NGCP line crews are conducting patrols, and simultaneous restoration activities are being carried out in accessible areas.
