The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has reassured the public and rural power stakeholders that the agency is actively monitoring the effects of Severe Tropical Storm “Crising” on electric cooperatives (ECs) across Luzon.

As of 11:00 a.m. on July 21, the NEA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (DRRMD) reported that three ECs- specifically Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), Mountain Province Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MOPRECO), and Zambales II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMECO II)- have collectively sustained infrastructure damages amounting to approximately PHP1.15 million.

Power distribution services have been disrupted in parts of Benguet, Mountain Province, and Abra, with about 5,487 households still affected. Environmental hazards triggered by the storm, including landslides, flooding, and fallen trees, have been cited as the primary causes of the outages, especially in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Despite the ongoing interruptions, MOPRECO has committed to completing full restoration by the end of the day on July 21. BENECO and Abra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO), on the other hand, are targeting full power restoration by Tuesday, July 22.

The NEA clarified that the current situation does not yet warrant activation of Task Force Kapatid (TFK), which is a coordinated support network for ECs during large-scale disasters. Nonetheless, the agency emphasized its readiness to mobilize assistance in collaboration with partner organizations, should the need arise.

Severe Tropical Storm “Crising” struck parts of Luzon last week, bringing intense winds that worsened southwest monsoon rains. According to NEA, the storm posed a potential threat to the operations of at least 24 ECs in the region, though most have fortunately managed to respond without major disruption.

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