Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon S. Garin has assured Masbate residents and local officials that the government is fully mobilized to restore electricity in the province following the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Opong.

Visiting the hardest-hit areas on Tuesday, Garin led an inspection of damaged transmission lines, distribution facilities, and generation assets, accompanied by DOE Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan, National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda, and National Power Corporation (NPC) President Jericho Jonas B. Nograles.

“This is more than an inspection, this is a commitment,” Garin said. “Our goal is to bring back power not just to energize homes, but to help communities recover and rebuild their lives.”

The DOE highlighted the deployment of Task Force Kapatid, with line workers from various electric cooperatives nationwide arriving in Masbate to reinforce the Masbate Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MASELCO). Garin commended the teams working under difficult terrain and weather conditions, noting that critical facilities such as hospitals, evacuation centers, government offices, and water systems are being prioritized.

“We are moving with urgency, but also with care. Safety remains our top priority for both workers on the ground and the public. Together, we will restore power and restore hope,” she added.

STS Opong left much of Masbate without electricity after damaging energy infrastructure across the province. The DOE urged residents to stay vigilant, immediately report toppled poles and live wires, and cooperate with line crews to ensure safety during restoration efforts.

The DOE also reported that 12 electric cooperatives in nine provinces across four regions remain under monitoring due to the combined impact of Super Typhoon Nando, STS Opong, and the Southwest Monsoon. Eleven cooperatives continue to experience partial outages, while MASELCO remains under total power interruption.

What are your thoughts on the DOE’s restoration efforts and the role of Task Force Kapatid in post-disaster energy recovery?

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