Following the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, distribution utilities (DUs) based in Metro Cebu and Tagbilaran City are targeting full power restoration in their franchise areas by the end of January 2022, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
Based on the DOE’s report during its press briefing on Wednesday, the Visayan Electric Company (VECO), Mactan Electric Company (MECO), and Bohol Light Company, Inc. (BLCI) have January 31, 2022 as their estimated target full restoration date.
VECO, the country’s second largest DU, covers eight cities and towns in mainland Cebu, including Cebu and Mandaue cities, while MECO covers nearby Mactan and Olango islands, also in Cebu. Metro Cebu is traditionally comprised of Cebu and Mandaue cities on mainland Cebu and Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan.
BLCI, which serves Tagbilaran, is Bohol’s only DU.
In his report, DOE Electric Power Industry Management Bureau Director Mario Marasigan said BLCI’s franchise area remains totally without power. BLCI has also sustained some Php18.2 million in damages to its facilities.
Aboitiz-owned VECO has restored electricity services to 25.73% of its franchise area, said Marasigan.
VECO itself, meanwhile, said it projects to restore power to 80% of its customers by January 10, with the more difficult areas expected to be energized by the end of the month. The firm based its target date on current damage assessments and is subject to change as more information is made available.
MECO, for its part, has restored power to 50% of its franchise area. The firm also lost around Php210 million due to damages from Odette.
Photo from VECO Facebook page.
