Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonson Cusi has ordered involved agencies to monitor the status of areas affected by typhoons Karen and Lawin and to immediately restore power facilities.
The DOE, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) are “on top of the situation” and are ensuring the easy mobilization of assets to restore power to affected areas.
“We strongly urge the power sector participants to implement strategic contingency measures for the conduct of preventive maintenance and rehabilitation efforts,” Cusi said.
“On the distribution side, NEA reported that affected electric cooperative are now assessing the scope of damage to initiate the restoration of affected facilities within their respective franchises and may activate Task Force Kapatid, a bayanihan restoration effort among electric cooperatives,” he said.
The NEA has released advisories to affected electric cooperatives to initiate pre- and post-typhoon disaster risk reduction measures.
Cusi said they are closely coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) to release regular advisories and have people monitoring the situation 24/7.
The public has been advised to observe emergency and safety measures like charging flashlights and mobile phones, keep updated on the news, switch off circuit breakers and other electrical systems to avoid accidents.
The energy secretary also gave orders to immediately report incidents such as toppling of poles, compromised lines and other power supply facilities to authorities.
Transmission lines have gone down in the provinces Abra, Benguet, Cagayan, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, data from the NGCP said.
“The sole transmission concessionaire has committed to inspect and restore the lines in the affected areas as soon as the weather would allow,” Cusi said.