Transformer explosion, cable theft stall power work in Bicol

A transformer explosion Saturday night and the theft of power cables have stalled ongoing work to restore electricity to Catanduanes province in Bicol. In some parts of typhoon-devastated areas, however, full restoration of power service might drag on days to, or even beyond Christmas day. Radio station dzRH reported Sunday morning that the transformer, located in the capital of Virac, Catanduanes province, supplies power to at least five villages in the area. It said that power had already been restored to the five villages since Friday night, but the transformer explosion Saturday night caused another brownout. On the other hand, local authorities are looking into the extent of theft of power cables after arresting some youths caught with stolen cables. The officials advised junk shops in the area not to buy stolen power cable wires, and to report sellers to the police instead. Catanduanes was one of the provinces hardest hit by typhoons "Milenyo" and "Seniang." As of Sunday, power had been restored to only 30 percent of the province. Authorities are giving themselves until the first week of January 2007 to restore electricity to 15 provinces in Southern Luzon, Bicol and the Visayas ravaged by typhoons "Reming" and "Seniang." The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the target dates for restoring power to various towns in the 15 provinces range from Dec. 16 to early January 2007. But the NDCC admitted there is still no definite date for restoring power in at least one town in Samar province, which had been ravaged by typhoon "Seniang" earlier this month. In Southern Luzon, the NDCC said local authorities are targeting Dec. 18 to restore power to the towns of San Andres, San Francisco and San Narciso in Quezon province. By Dec. 18 as well, officials eye restoring power to Buenavista, Sta Cruz and Torrijos towns in Marinduque province. Authorities are eyeing restoring power to Busuanga in Palawan province in the "next two to three weeks," meaning by the first week of January 2007. For Magsaysay and Rizal towns in Occidental Mindoro, the target restoration date is Dec. 16. The latest target date is Dec. 29 for Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Victoria and Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro. In Romblon, authorities expect to have restored power in Magdiwang town as early as Friday, Dec. 15. In Bicol, the target date to restore power is Dec. 22 for Buruanga, Ibajay, Malay, Nabas, Tangalan and Pandan towns in Masbate province. For Camarines Sur, one of the hardest hit areas, the target dates range from Dec. 15 to Dec. 22. Catanduanes, another province hardest hit by "Reming," may have power in Bagamanok and Panganiban towns this coming week, but Baras may have to wait until January 2007. Albay, another province devastated by "Reming," may have power restored to Bacacay by Dec. 26, Malilipot by Dec. 22, Malinao, Tiwi and Tabaco City by Dec. 18, Camalig and Daraga by Dec. 20; Legazpi City by Dec. 16, Jovellar town by Dec. 23; and Pio Duran by Dec. 27. In Western Visayas, power may be restored to Buruanga town in Aklan province by Dec. 22, Ibajay by Dec 15, Nabas by Dec. 16, Libertad by Dec. 19 and Pandan by Dec. 17. In Eastern Visayas, power may be restored to Almera and Kawayan in Biliran province Dec. 20), Biliran town by Dec. 16, Biliran and Cabucgayan by Dec. 16), Caibiran and Culaba by Dec. 24, and Naval by Dec. 17. Target dates for restoring power in various towns in Leyte province is next week. In Samar, however, there is no timetable for the restoration of electricity to Tagapul-an town. The timetable for restoring power in Eastern Samar ranges from Dec. 15 to 20. Meanwhile, the National Transmission Co. (Transco) said that as of Friday, power in Panay Island was 100 percent restored, including 80 percent in Boracay. Power load has been restored in Leyte. In Samar, 75 percent of load has been restored. At least five road sectionsremain closed to vehicular traffic in Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas. These include: * East Coastal Road (Bulalacao Section) in Southern Mindoro, not passable due to flooding and washed-out surface materials; * Dr Damian Reyes Road (Torrejos Section) in Marinduque, hardly passable due to slides; * Tigwi-Dampolan-Buenavista Road in Marinduque, hardly passable due to washed-out slope protection and landslides; * East Coastal Road (Magsaysay-San Nicolas section) in Occidental Mindoro, hardly passable due to fallen trees and electrical posts; and * Coastal Road (Southern Samar), not passable due to roadslip. - GMANews.TV