The Department of Energy (DOE) has concluded assessing the damages caused by recent typhoons to power facilities in Bicol, particularly in Catanduanes, Albay, and Camarines Sur.
In its meeting with Energy Usec. Felix William “Wimpy” Fuentebella, officials of the Albay Power and Energy Corporation (APEC) said that power restoration in the province is at 63% at the barangay level. The company targets completion by December 15, in time for the traditional Simbang Gabi the following dawn.
In Catanduanes, where Super Typhoon Rolly first made landfall and caused extensive damage, Fuentebella was joined by National Electrification Administration (NEA) Deputy Administrator Artis Nikki Tortola and National Power Corporation Vice President Rogel Teves.
Fuentebella and Tortola visited Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua to brief him on the actions being taken by government energy agencies. Teves, meanwhile, reported that power generation facilities in the province are ready to dispatch power as long as they are cleared by the distribution utilities, noting that the northern part of the island already have electricity.
Teves added that the Balongbong Hydro Power Plant is getting ready to provide additional power supply, and that the 69-kilovolt transmission line is ready to deliver power.
Tortola, for his part, explained that NEA’s Task Force Kapatid, has greatly augmented the restoration efforts of the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative (FICELCO).
FICELCO General Manager Raul Zafe (in photo) reported that almost 40 electric cooperatives from other provinces with 322 personnel are already on the ground to help in the power restoration activities. To date, the level of energization stands at 20.21%, with the towns of Gigmoto and San Miguel still needing to be energized.
Fuentebella added that the energization of Catanduanes has been ramping up given the strategies that are currently being implemented.
In Camarines Sur, Fuentebella visited Naga City and Tigaon among other areas.
Other than Rolly, Typhoons Quinta and Ulysses also battered the region.
