Power Restoration on Yolanda’s Aftermath in Iloilo City Started

Yolanda’s great wrath destroyed some vital infrastructures in the towns of Iloilo City that resulted in power interruptions and electronic communications failure.

Despite of this, Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. has ordered the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (Ileco) 1, 2, 3 to immediately reenergize the towns hit by the world’s strongest typhoon in the history Yolanda.

The power provider distributors were given three weeks to return the electricity from the third to fifth districts, while the Provincial Government continues its relief and recovery operations.

To make this process in order, general managers of NGCP-Iloilo, Iloilo Electric Cooperatives (Ileco) 1, 2 and 3, the chief of Provincial Engineers Office, and Iloilo Provincial Police Office were organized into a task force.

Task force members are expected to coordinate closely with one another to maximize the use of their respective manpower and resources.

NGCP Panay District Head Rey Jaleco said their 139,000 volt-amperes (kVA) transmission line from Dingle, Iloilo to Panit-an, Capiz sub-station remained inoperative.

As of this matter, 95% of services areas of Ileco 3, 50% of the services areas of Ileco 2, and selected areas by Ileco 1 have no power.

These are the towns:

Pototan, Dingle, Zarraga, New Lucena, Janiuay, Badiangan, Mina, Duenas, San Enrique, Calinog, Bingawan, Lambunao, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Barotac Nuevo, Carles, Estancia, Batad, Lemery, San Dionisio, and P(–foul word(s) removed–)i City.

Ileco 3 General Manager Antonio Lazaraga said they will avail a P108 million loan from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to purchase the needed steel posts and wirings.

“It is our commitment to the people to return the power within three weeks and if we have to procure the materials through negotiated bid, we will,” he said.

Ileco 1 General Manager Wilfredo Billena said they will augment the needed manpower of Ileco 2 and 3 during the clearing and rewiring of power lines.

“Of the three electric cooperatives, we are the least affected so we can mobilize our personnel to help repair their damaged lines,” he added.

Senior Superintendent Cornelio Salinas, director of Iloilo Police Provincial Office (Ippo), said he directed the chief of police in typhoon-hit towns to respond to any reports of power pilferage.

“Our policemen will visit every junk shop and if they discover any aluminium wires there, an investigation will be made and the persons responsible will be charged accordingly,” he warned.

Pilferage of electricity and thief of power transmission lines or materials are punishable under the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994. (PR).

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