Power supply in some Odette-hit areas not yet restored —NGCP

The transmission services in some areas hit by Typhoon Odette have yet to be restored, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said on Tuesday.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Perez-Alabanza said 12 towers and 600 steel poles were down due to the typhoon, mostly in Cebu, Bohol and Leyte.

“Sa Cebu, Leyte, tsaka Bohol medyo matatagalan 'yan at wala pa kaming maiibigay na restoration schedule (It would take time to restore the transmission services in Cebu, Leyte, and Bohol. We cannot give yet a restoration schedule),” she said.

Alabanza said the NGCP targets to restore the transmission services in Negros on December 22, Wednesday.

In Mindanao, many towers were also damaged in Caraga, she said. Surigao del Norte including Siargao, and Surigao del Sur are the only areas without transmission services. Alabanza said power may be restored on or before Christmas Day.

The NGCP spokesperson said aerial inspection of damaged towers and steel poles is still ongoing.

Many transmission services have been restored since Monday such as in Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Norte in Mindanao, Alabanza said.

In Visayas, an interim configuration was set up in Leyte and Samar to provide power supply for the meantime, she added.

According to Alabanza, the transmission services for CEBECO II and VECO customers in northern Cebu have been restored 100% and normalized.

The transmission services for SAMECO and DORECO are now also available.

Alabanza noted that the return of power supply in communities will depend on the operation of distribution utilities.

As NGCP faces a challenge in its restoration efforts due to the limited supply of fuel, Alabanza said they are now coordinating with local governments, the Department of Energy, and suppliers to be prioritized. 

During his visit last weekend to areas hit by Typhoon Odette in Visayas and Mindanao, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to give housing assistance and ensure prompt restoration of power supply, among others, the Palace said Monday. —KG, GMA News