CAUAYAN, Isabela, Nov. 1 — The Department of Energy (DOE) presented the initial damage assessment on the effects of Tropical Storm (TS) Rosita at the briefing conducted by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) – Region 2 at the Hotel Andrea in Cauayan City, Isabela on November 1.

In a statement, Energy Chief Alfonso G. Cusi reassured the public that the restoration efforts will again be in full swing despite having completely restored energy services in areas affected by Typhoon Ompong just last 26 October .

“The energy family is utilizing all available resources to help those affected by Typhoon Rosita so that electricity will be restored at the soonest possible time. This will support the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts being conducted by the government,” Sec. Cusi said.

Typhoon Rosita affected 15 distribution utilities, mostly electric cooperatives, serving more than 200 municipalities / cities, more than 4,000 barangays, and around 1.5 million households in Regions I, II, III, and CAR.

As far as the power generation sector is concerned, the National Power Corporation (NPC) reported the following statuses of the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) in the affected areas:

1. Cagayan-Calayan (no communication since last report of normal operation on October 29);

2. Balatubat – Minabel (no communication since last report of normal operation on October 30);

3. Isabela Maconacon (as of October 31, restored operations in the area of Maconacon only);

4. Divilacan-Palanan Plant (ready for operation; on October 29, forced shutdown due to TS Rosita);

5. Aurora-Casiguran (on October 31 restored operations in Casiguran area only);

6. Apayao-Kabugao (on October 31, restored operations with distribution lines partially restored); and

In Batanes serving Basco, Itbayat and Sabtang reported normal operations.

Meanwhile, the operators of the power generation plants connected to the grid reported that all the plants have been secured and was not damaged by Typhoon Rosita.

For the transmission sector, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) counted a total of 51 Transmission Lines affected in North Luzon. The areas affected by power interruption are:

1. The Provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and La Union (North Luzon District 1);

2. Benguet and Mountain Province (North Luzon District 2);

3. Pangasinan (North Luzon District 3);

4. Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Quirino, Isablea, Cagayan, and Kalinga Apayao (North Luzon District 4);

5. Bataan and Zambales (North Luzon District 5); and

6. Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora (North Luzon District 6).

NGCP was able to restore all the affected Transmission Lines by today, November 1, 2018. NGCP accomplished this by deploying 100 technical and support personnel, 10 trucks and 1 helicopter.

For the distribution sector, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) submitted the update on the re-energization efforts of the following Electric Cooperatives (ECs):

1. Pangasinan I Electric Cooperative(PANELCO I) reported that one city and six municipalities within its distribution area are partially restored. PANELCO I is working to restore electricity in Alaminos City, the Municipalities of Agno, Anda, Bani, Bulinao, Burgos, and Mabini.

2. Restoration efforts are ongoing within the distribution area of Cagayan Electric Cooperative I (CAGELCO I) in the Municipalities of Amulung and Bagga, with 8,551 households that were affected by TS Rosita.

3. The Cagayan II Electric Cooperative (CAGELCO II) has an initial projected restoration date of November 2, 2018 within the Municipalities of Abulug, Allacapan, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Lasam, Flora, and Pudtol.

4. The Nueva Viscaya Electric Cooperative (NUVELCO) reported that its 11 municipalities were largely affected by TS Rosita. Restoration is currently undergoing within the Municipalities of: Bayombong, Solano, Bambang, Quezon, Villaverde, Bagbag, Diadi, Ambaguio, Alfonso Castaneda, Aksibu, and Kayapa which were partially restored.

5. The Quirino Electric Cooperative (QUIRELCO) submitted an initial assessment for damage of P2,039,910, affecting all 7 municipalties within its distribution area. The Municipalities of Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Diffun, Maddela, Nagtipunan, Saguday, and San Agustin are currently undergoing power restoration services.

6. The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) reported that the distribution areas of Baguio City and the Municipality of Tuba were affected. The projected date for full restoration is 6 November.

7. Mountain Province Electric Cooperative (MOPRECO) stated that all the municipalities within its distribution area were greatly affected. The power in the Municipalities of Sadanga, Sabanga, Sagada, Bontoc, Bauko, Tadian, Tinglayan, Mankayan, Barlig, and Besao were partially restored. The Municipality of Paracelis remains to be restored.

8. Abra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO) said a total of four municipalities were already partially restored. These are: Lagangilang, Lagayan, Tineg, and San Juan. Boliney is scheduled to undergo restoration.

9. The 10 municipalities and cities within the distribution area of the Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO) were affected. The Municipalities of Tabuk and Pinukpuk have been partially restored, while the areas of Quezon, Tinglayan, Lubuagan, Pasil, Tanduan, Tuao, Conner, and Babalan are still undergoing restoration. KAELCO came up with an initial damage assessment of PhP 859,071 within its service area.

10. The Ifugao Electric Cooperative (IFELCO) initially reported that all 11 municipalities within its distribution area were affected by TS Rosita. All substations and feeders were checked and evaluated of any damage.

11. Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO) projected full restoration within its service area by 2 November. The affected areas were Casiguran (partially restored), Dinalugan, Dilasag, and Dinapigue.

12. Isabela I Electric Cooperative (ISELCO I) reported that Santiago City, Cauayan City and the Municipalities of Ramon, San Mateo, Cabatuan, and Alicia are partially energized. The Municipalities of Reina Mercedes, Luna, Echague, San Isidro, Jones, San Agustin, Angadanan, San Guillermo, and Cordon are for power restoration, which is targeted today, 1 November. Around 20% of the total coverage area of ISELCO I is currently energized with 325 poles damaged in its initial assessment.

The targeted restoration within the ISELCO I distribution area is on 15 November. Restoration is being undertaken with the assistance of the Power Restoration Rapid Deployment (PPRD) Task Force through the quick response of the NEA, the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (PHILRECA) and the Philippine Federation of Electric Cooperatives (PHILFECO).

14. Isabela II Electric Cooperative (ISELCO II) reported that the 13 municipalities within its distribution area are partially energized with five municipalities for power restoration. The Municipalities of Burgos, Quirino, Mallig, and Quezon are targeted to be re-energized on 1 November, while restoration efforts in the Municipality of Sta. Maria are ongoing, but is hampered due to flooding within the area. Presently, a total of 36.17% of the coverage area of ISELCO II is energized and the projected total re-energization target is on 6 November 2018. ISELCO II also aims to provide support in the restoration of ISELCO 1 after 6 November.

15. DECORP, a privately owned distribution utility reported that it was able to fully restore all local government units within its franchise area. These are: Dagupan, Calasiao, San Fabian, Sta. Barbara, Manaoag, and San Jacinto.

The DOE reminds the public that a prize freeze on the prices of kerosene and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be in effect, 15 days from the declaration of a State of Calamity by our competent authorities. Under a price freeze, all price roll backs are implemented while price increases are not implemented.

The DOE field offices closely monitor the implementation of the price freeze, with the assistance and coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and the concerned local government units. (DOE)

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