Electric cooperatives (ECs) in different regions are now preparing to send crews to help their fellow power distribution utilities battered by Typhoon Rolly, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said Monday (November 2).
NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said the agency’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (DRRMD) is closely coordinating with the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (PHILRECA) on the deployment of restoration teams.
The Task Force teams, with 330 line workers and support personnel equipped with their own boom trucks, utility vehicles and other equipment needed, will be helping to restore power in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro.
Masongsong thanked PHILRECA and the ECs for always offering assistance to their fellow power utilities badly affected by calamities. The NEA chief also reminded the ECs to ensure that necessary precautions and safety protocols are being followed.
In a statement, PHILRECA said the ‘power restoration rapid deployment’ Task Force Kapatid initially composed of 56 teams from 47 ECs operating in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, VI, VIII and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are now ready for deployment.
The Task Force teams, with 330 line workers and support personnel equipped with their own boom trucks, utility vehicles and other equipment needed, will be helping to restore power in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro.
“To ensure optimal support to the affected areas, volunteer-ECs of the Task Force will be arriving with their own boom trucks and all necessary equipment. They will also be bringing their own food, nourishment, and other needs,” PHILRECA said.
“Most of the Task Force volunteers have complied already with the health and safety protocols of the local governments in the affected areas. However, due to unfavorable weather conditions, the Task Force will have to wait for the final confirmation before they can proceed with their destinations,” the organization added.
Power outages were reported in parts of Quezon, Laguna, and Batangas in Calabarzon; Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon in Bicol; and Northern Samar and Western Samar in Eastern Visayas.
The receiving ECs will be assisting the Task Force members with their accommodation needs. Any additional expenses will be covered by the One EC Network Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of PHILRECA and the One EC-MCO Movement.
Based on the monitoring of the NEA DRRMD as of 8:00 a.m. Monday (November 2), several provinces in the Bicol Region and parts of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), and Eastern Visayas under the coverage areas of 17 ECs were without electricity due to the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly.
Power outages were reported in parts of Quezon, Laguna, and Batangas in Calabarzon; Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon in Bicol; and Northern Samar and Western Samar in Eastern Visayas.